Crucifixion With Many Figures 1523

Albrecht Durer made this pen and ink drawing, *Crucifixion With Many Figures*, in the late 15th or early 16th century. Executed on paper, the artist coaxes a full tonal range from a humble material. Durer's mastery with pen and ink is immediately evident. The stark contrast between light and shadow intensifies the drama of the crucifixion scene. He uses delicate, fine lines to create texture and volume, while also capturing the raw emotion of the event. The city in the background shows Durer's mastery of line and perspective, contrasting with the more expressive figures in the foreground. The drawing is unfinished, like many from this period, which gives us an intimate look into his process. Durer was, after all, a highly skilled printmaker, which demanded a different kind of labor than painting – more akin to that of a craftsman. This drawing, therefore, asks us to consider the social context of art making in Durer's time. It invites us to reconsider the relationship between fine art and craft.