Christus, hangend aan een doek 1922

Lodewijk Schelfhout etched 'Christus, hangend aan een doek', and what strikes me is its rawness. You can see how the lines create this somber tone with their unwavering presence. I imagine Schelfhout really thinking about what it must have been like for Christ. It seems he was trying to connect to that moment of despair and pain through the act of making. The bold lines are particularly moving because they make me think about the emotional weight of the piece. Looking at the ladder in the background, and how Christ is suspended, it reminds me a little of other crucifixion paintings, but it’s got its own voice. I think what’s cool about painting is how it lets artists play with big ideas through simple marks. It’s like they’re having a conversation across time, and we’re lucky enough to listen in.