The Lamentation
Medium
woodcut on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet (cut to block mark): 23.7 x 16.1 cm (9 5/16 x 6 5/16 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Gaillard F. Ravenel and Frances P. Smyth-Ravenel
Accession Number
2000.7.3
Art Historical Context
Hans Baldung Grien'sThe Lamentation* (0) captures a poignant moment from the Passion of Christ, the Virgin Mary, Saint John, and other figures mourn over Jesus' lifeless body after the Crucifixion. Created during the Northern Renaissance, this woodcut reflects Baldung's mastery as a German artist closely associated with Albrecht Dür. Known for his expressive, often dramatic style blending intricate detail with emotional intensity, Baldung infused religious subjects with a haunting psychological depth, making this print a standout example of early 16th-century devotional art. Printed on laid p...
About the Artist
Hans Baldung Grien
Hans Baldung, known by the nickname Grien, was born around 1484 or 1485 in Schwäbisch Gmünd, in the Swabia region of what is now Germany. He came from a distinguished academic family — his father Johann Baldung was a university-educated jurist who served as legal adviser to the bishop of Strasbourg — making Hans a notable exception as the first male in his family not to attend university, and one ...