Christuskop 1815 - 1862

Erin Corr created this print of Christ's head, sometime in the mid-19th century. It's made using lithography, a newly industrialized technique where an image is drawn on stone and then printed. Lithography allowed for the wide distribution of images like this, making religious iconography more accessible. But it also raises questions about labor and the commodification of faith. How does mass production change our relationship to the sacred? Look closely, and you'll see the subtle tonal gradations achieved through the lithographic process. The soft, almost ethereal quality contrasts with the sharp lines of the decorative border. This juxtaposition speaks to the tension between the spiritual and the material, the hand-made and the machine-made. By considering the materials and processes used, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and social forces at play in this seemingly simple image. It challenges us to think about how our beliefs are shaped by the means of their production.