Landscape with a Cross 

James Ensor created this drawing, "Landscape with a Cross," using pencil on paper. Dominating this somber vista are the crosses that break the horizon line. Instantly, they evoke centuries of Christian iconography, particularly the hill of Calvary, a symbol of suffering and redemption. But these are not isolated symbols; they are part of a landscape, suggesting a world permeated by sacrifice. Consider other landscapes marked by crosses—from medieval German paintings to Spanish colonial art. The cross evolves, sometimes a beacon of hope, sometimes a stark reminder of human frailty. Psychologically, the cross taps into our collective memory of pain and resilience. It embodies a powerful tension between despair and the possibility of overcoming it. Notice how Ensor's marks create a feeling of unease. The cross is not merely a religious symbol; it is a profound expression of human experience, a recurrent motif that continues to shape our understanding of life and death.