The Crown of Thorns; men putting crown of thorns on Christ who blesses kneeling man, after Dürer 1495 - 1539

"The Crown of Thorns" is a 16th century engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi, after a design by Albrecht Dürer. It depicts the moment when Jesus is crowned with thorns, an event from the Passion of Christ. The scene takes place in a Roman courtyard, where Jesus sits calmly as the soldiers press the crown onto his head. A kneeling figure in the foreground receives a blessing from Jesus, capturing the moment of suffering and divine grace. Raimondi's intricate use of line and detail, characteristic of Italian Renaissance engraving, brings a sense of depth and realism to the scene. This print, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to the enduring power of religious imagery and its ability to evoke both pain and hope.