The Deposition, from The Small Passion 1509 - 1510

Albrecht Dürer made this woodcut, entitled 'The Deposition', as part of his 'Small Passion' series. Made in Germany, sometime between 1508 and 1510, it depicts the removal of Christ's body from the cross. Note how Dürer uses the established visual codes of Christian iconography to convey the scene's emotional and spiritual weight. But he’s also working in a period profoundly affected by religious and social change. The rise of printmaking allowed artists to disseminate their work more widely, engaging with a broader public. Dürer’s detailed style and expressive figures reflect the artistic and intellectual ferment of the Northern Renaissance. His work subtly critiques established institutions, inviting a more personal and direct engagement with religious narratives. To fully appreciate Dürer’s achievement, we need to explore the religious and social context of early 16th-century Germany. Scholarly resources like period pamphlets, letters, and theological treatises can shed light on the complex interplay between art, religion, and society during the Reformation.