Christus op de Olijfberg c. 1506 - 1538

Albrecht Altdorfer made this woodcut, Christus op de Olijfberg, a small but powerful work during the early 16th century. Altdorfer lived during a time of religious upheaval, and his personal beliefs deeply influenced his art. Here, we see Christ kneeling in prayer, a chalice offered by an angel, while his disciples sleep. This poignant scene from the Mount of Olives reflects the vulnerability of faith amidst human weakness. Altdorfer, working in Bavaria, was deeply involved in the spiritual and intellectual debates of his time. His engagement with the emerging ideas of the Reformation is evident here. His approach diverges from traditional representations. He emphasizes the emotional and psychological dimensions of Christ's experience. The sleeping disciples at the bottom, oblivious to Christ's anguish, mirror the broader societal indifference to profound spiritual questioning. Altdorfer captures a moment of intense personal struggle, reflecting the shifting religious landscape of his era.