Man of Sorrows with Hands Bound 1512

Albrecht Dürer created this engraving, *Man of Sorrows with Hands Bound*, during a time of significant religious and social upheaval in Europe. Dürer, who lived through the stirrings of the Reformation, captures an intensely human portrayal of Christ. Bound and crowned with thorns, Christ stands as a figure of suffering and resilience, a powerful commentary on human endurance and faith. Consider how Dürer, though deeply religious, was also a humanist. The engraving delves into the emotional and physical experience of Christ’s Passion. The artist invites us to confront the complex relationship between divinity and humanity and between suffering and redemption. Despite the traditional subject, Dürer imbues the work with an emotional depth that transcends mere religious iconography. In doing so, he prompts viewers to contemplate the personal and collective meanings of sacrifice and salvation, against the backdrop of a changing world.