The Passion 1525

Hans Holbein the Younger created this striking multi-paneled piece entitled ‘The Passion’ during the height of the Northern Renaissance. Holbein, a German artist working in a time of religious upheaval, presents us with an emotionally charged narrative of Christ’s final days. Each panel captures a key moment, from the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane to the poignant deposition from the cross. The artist places the viewer in the midst of each scene, emphasizing the raw human drama of betrayal, suffering, and mourning. What’s particularly interesting is how Holbein populates these biblical scenes with figures who wear contemporary 16th-century clothing. He merges the sacred and the everyday to reflect the intense religious feelings during the Reformation. Rather than presenting Christ's story as a distant, historical event, Holbein makes it immediate and relevant. The artwork encourages us to personally confront questions of faith, morality, and the human condition, inviting introspection and emotional engagement.