Tempel met graf van Christus in Jerusalem - Erhard Reuwich

A 1486 woodcut by Erhard Reuwich depicting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, taken from the 'Peregrinatio in terram sanctam'.

This woodcut originates from the 'Peregrinatio in terram sanctam', a travelogue published in Mainz in 1486. Erhard Reuwich, a Dutch artist and printer, accompanied Bernhard von Breydenbach on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. His illustrations are recognised for their attempt to capture topographical accuracy, a departure from the purely symbolic representations common in medieval manuscripts.

The print depicts the exterior of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Reuwich employs a clear, linear style to delineate the architectural features of the structure, including its domes, arched portals, and the bell tower. The composition is organised to provide a sense of spatial depth, guiding the viewer across the courtyard towards the entrance. In the foreground, small figures are positioned to provide a sense of scale, while Latin and Middle Dutch inscriptions frame the image, identifying the location and the specific site where Christ is said to have fallen while carrying the cross.

Technically, the work demonstrates the capabilities of late fifteenth-century woodcut printing. The lines are firm and deliberate, creating a high-contrast image that relies on hatching to suggest shadow and texture on the stone surfaces. As a historical document, the print offers a glimpse into how European travellers perceived and recorded the architecture of the Levant during the late medieval period. It remains a significant example of early printed book illustration, where text and image work in tandem to document a journey. The clarity of the draughtsmanship allows for a detailed examination of the building's facade, reflecting the artist's focus on observational accuracy during his travels.