The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column

This is one of a series of sixteen prints known as the Engraved Passion, which Dürer created in Nuremberg over a period of several years beginning in 1507. The series represents the events of Christ's final days on Earth. Dürer, however, included additional images not drawn from the story of Christ's life that were meant to inspire devotion and religious contemplation. The Man of Sorrows is one of these. The specific subject is not historical and is not taken from the text of the Gospels. It may refer to scenes from Passion plays or other forms of popular piety that were widespread during Dürer's lifetime.