A hand-coloured woodcut by Swiss Renaissance artist Urs Graf, depicting the biblical scene of Christ before Herod.

This hand-coloured woodcut depicts the biblical narrative of Christ brought before Herod Antipas. Urs Graf, a Swiss Renaissance artist known for his graphic work and goldsmithing, employs a direct, linear style characteristic of early sixteenth-century printmaking. The composition is compressed, focusing on the interaction between the central figures. Christ stands to the left, flanked by guards, while Herod sits upon a throne to the right, gesturing in a manner that suggests interrogation or judgement. The woodcut medium dictates the aesthetic, with bold outlines defining the forms. The application of colour is rudimentary, typical of the period when prints were often finished by hand to increase their appeal for devotional or illustrative purposes. The cross-hatching and parallel lines used for shading provide a sense of volume within the figures, despite the overall flat presentation of the scene. Graf was active in Basel and is recognised for his contributions to the development of the woodcut as a medium for both religious and secular subjects. His work often reflects the social and religious tensions of the Reformation era, though this specific piece remains firmly within the tradition of biblical illustration. The figures are rendered with a degree of expressive distortion, a common trait in Graf's graphic output, which prioritises narrative clarity and emotional urgency over anatomical precision. The architectural elements, such as the throne and the suggestion of a chamber, are simplified, serving as a backdrop to the primary encounter. This print offers a glimpse into the production of small-scale devotional imagery that circulated widely during the early sixteenth century, providing a visual aid for those engaging with the Passion narrative.