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

Christ on the Mount of Olives

1521
Pen and ink, 208 x 294 mm
Städelsches Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt

Christ is lying completely flat on the ground ("fell on his face, and prayed"); Dürer could have seen this posture depicted by Mantegna. The rocks in starlike layers and the veil of mist pressing down from above lend support to the effect of the motif. The Apostles are small and are sitting off to a side by themselves.