DÜRER, Albrecht
(b. 1471, Nürnberg, d. 1528, Nürnberg)

Green Passion: Christ before Caiaphas

1504
Pen drawing on green primed paper, 283 x 178 mm
Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna

The Green Passion, so named after the green primed paper, consists of twelve sheets, the purpose of which is not known. It has been assumed that they were used as preliminary sketches for stained glass windows. Like the other pictures, the sheet of Christ before Caiaphas distinguishes itself through its fine white highlights which achieve a magical plasticity and dramatic lighting - as was created by the "clair-obscur" technique - in their harmony with the green base colour of the scene. Christ and Pilate, the two antagonists in the foreground, are positioned opposite each other and emphasized both by the lighting and the architecture.