The Crucifixion c. 1513

Curator: This is Albrecht Altdorfer’s “The Crucifixion,” currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. We don’t have an exact date, but Altdorfer lived from around 1480 to 1538. Editor: The image is small, but intensely rendered. The mood is somber, almost claustrophobic with so many figures packed into such a tiny space. Curator: It's a woodcut, which speaks to its purpose: mass dissemination. Images like this were crucial in shaping popular piety during the Reformation. The sheer number of figures, from Roman soldiers to grieving followers, emphasizes the communal nature of this event. Editor: I agree. And the cross itself is almost obscured by the crowd, suggesting perhaps that Christ's suffering is inseparable from the suffering of humanity. The artist has given great detail to the garments and faces, emphasizing the emotional weight of this moment. Curator: Absolutely. The composition is designed to draw the viewer into the scene, making them a witness to this pivotal event in Christian history. Editor: It's a powerful piece despite its diminutive size. Curator: Indeed, a testament to the power of images in shaping collective memory and belief.