H. Franciscus van Assisi omhelst Christus aan het kruis before 1585

Editor: Okay, next up we have "Saint Francis of Assisi Embracing Christ on the Cross", made before 1585, attributed to Wierix. It’s an engraving, and honestly, it's pretty intense! The line work is so detailed, especially in their faces. I'm struck by how physically close St. Francis is to Christ on the cross. What do you make of this work? Curator: It really is something, isn't it? Look at how Wierix uses the stark contrast of light and shadow to heighten the drama, practically pulling us into the saint’s fervent embrace. Think about the Mannerist style, so prevalent then – this isn't just devotion, it’s almost ecstatic, an overflowing of religious feeling. See how Francis almost merges with Christ? It makes you wonder about the artist's understanding of divine love. Editor: I noticed that too, that blurring of the lines, that Francis is like… taking Christ's place on the cross? Curator: Precisely! It’s a blurring that transcends mere depiction. And isn't the backdrop fascinating? Look how that idealized landscape, that placid village with a cross-topped church spire, seems oddly unaffected by this intensely personal drama playing out in the foreground. Makes you wonder about faith itself, its place within the everyday world... What's your take on it? Editor: I guess it's a reminder that even in the face of such personal agony, there’s this whole other world continuing on. Is that what it means that "faith gives strength"? Curator: Perhaps! And doesn't the inscription underscore it? Sic capit et capitur repetiti feruor amoris... “Thus he grasps, and is grasped again by the repeated fervor of love." It almost sounds like a lover's vow! Editor: Wow. It is quite intimate when you phrase it that way. Curator: Right? Wierix asks us: How deeply do we grasp – or allow ourselves to be grasped by – such love? Editor: It definitely gives you something to think about. That image of such intimate suffering... I definitely see so much more in it now.