Christ captured and being dragged by hair up steps before the throne of the high priest Annas, after Dürer 1495 - 1539

Marcantonio Raimondi created this print, “Christ captured and being dragged by hair up steps before the throne of the high priest Annas, after Dürer,” using engraving. Raimondi, working in the early 16th century, lived in a world shaped by religious upheaval and the rise of humanism. This print depicts Christ’s humiliation, being dragged before Annas, underscoring themes of power and authority. Christ’s maltreatment is placed in stark contrast to the opulence of Annas’s throne. The act of dragging Christ by his hair is particularly charged. This gesture strips him of dignity and underscores the intersection of religious and political power, as the artist challenges viewers to reflect on the personal and collective dimensions of faith, justice, and the spectacle of power. Through stark lines and dramatic composition, this work encourages us to consider how images shape and reflect societal values. The emotional impact of this image lies in its ability to make us witnesses to a moment of profound injustice.