Inside of the Outer Wings, Passion of Christ (High Altarpiece of the Dominican Church) 1501

Hans Holbein the Elder painted these eight panels of the Passion of Christ for the High Altarpiece of the Dominican Church. Made in Germany in the early 16th century, the panels offer an insight into the religious and social climate of the time. Holbein was working in a period of significant religious upheaval, just before the full impact of the Reformation. The altarpiece was commissioned for a Dominican church, an order closely associated with the papacy and orthodox Catholic doctrine. These panels depict the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion. Holbein's style, with its detailed realism and dramatic composition, seeks to engage the viewer emotionally, reinforcing the Church's teachings. The historian’s task is to look at how the painting creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Researching the Dominican order at this time, the social and political context of Augsburg, and Holbein's artistic influences can provide a richer understanding of the altarpiece's meaning and function.