Christ Nailed to the Cross, from The Little Passion (copy) 1485 - 1600

This is a copy of Christ Nailed to the Cross, from The Little Passion, made by Johannes Mommaert as a woodcut. Look closely, and you can see how the linear qualities of the design are determined by the process of carving into the woodblock. Mommaert has skillfully used his tools to remove material, leaving behind the raised lines that define the composition when printed. The very act of nailing Christ to the cross becomes a brutal, physical labor, rendered here through the labor-intensive process of woodcutting. Each line is a testament to the hand of the artist, meticulously shaping the image from a block of wood. You can sense the repetitive motion, the careful control required to bring this scene to life. This print serves not only as a religious icon, but also a meditation on the value of labor, and the ways in which artistic creation can mirror and comment on the world around us. It reminds us that even the most refined art forms are rooted in material and making.