Christ before Annas, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi 1507

Hans Schäufelein’s 1507 woodcut, “Christ before Annas,” depicts a scene from the Passion of Christ. Jesus, bound by a rope, is being led before the high priest Annas, who is seated to the right, while a group of guards surrounds him. This scene is one of 38 woodcuts depicting Christ’s Passion created by Schäufelein for the “Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi” (Mirror of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ). The woodcut features a detailed, expressive style typical of Schäufelein’s work, which captures the dramatic emotions of the scene. This artwork is part of a series that was popular in its time, and still today provides a powerful visualization of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.