Christ on the Cross, Between the Virgin and Saint John c. 16th century

Curator: This woodcut, "Christ on the Cross, Between the Virgin and Saint John," is by Lucas Cranach the Elder. I'm immediately struck by the stark contrast of light and shadow. Editor: Look at the way the woodcut medium itself seems to amplify the anguish; the stark lines feel almost brutal. The image is saturated with symbols of the Passion. Curator: Yes, the skull at the base of the cross representing Adam, Original Sin, and Christ's sacrifice as redemption. And the figures of Mary and John, archetypes of grief and devotion. Editor: You know, Cranach was working during the Reformation. I wonder how the relatively inexpensive medium of a woodcut, meant for wide distribution, shaped the experience of the Passion for the common person. Curator: The cross centrally placed as a symbol of faith is indeed powerful, but so is the artist's statement about his belief, made accessible through this medium. Editor: Agreed, it is so interesting how materials and the making of this image were integral to its purpose and dissemination of powerful cultural symbols.