Voetwassing, Christus op de Olijfberg, Gevangenneming, Christus voor Annas 1508 - 1510

This is a print by Albrecht Dürer titled ‘Voetwassing, Christus op de Olijfberg, Gevangenneming, Christus voor Annas’. The rigid composition divides the scene into quadrants, each panel rendered with a meticulous use of line, creating a complex interplay of light and shadow. The scenes, rendered in the stark contrast of black ink on white paper, evoke a sense of stark drama. The composition of this print invites us to consider how the spatial arrangement of figures and objects structures the narrative and contributes to its meaning. Each quadrant offers a distinct perspective, and these perspectives serve as signifiers of the different narrative moments. We also observe how the artist has created a semiotic system to represent theological concepts, and how the print functions as a cultural artifact. The graphic nature allows us to understand how religious narratives were disseminated and interpreted in the society of the time. Notice the artist’s initials at the bottom right of the print, which acts not merely as a signature but as a declaration of artistic authorship within a changing cultural landscape.