The Five Sufferings c. 17th century

Editor: This engraving, "The Five Sufferings" by Jean Louis Roullet, evokes such a strong feeling of sorrow. The figures' gestures are so theatrical. What symbols do you see at play in this image? Curator: Look at the crown of thorns discarded on the ground; it symbolizes Christ's humiliation. The weeping women, each with distinct gestures, represent different aspects of grief, a universal human experience. Does their exaggerated grief remind you of anything? Editor: Like a stage play, where the audience also grieves? Curator: Precisely. Roullet masterfully uses established visual cues to connect the viewer to centuries of cultural memory and shared religious experiences. Editor: I had not considered how much symbolic weight these images carry. Curator: Indeed, it enriches our understanding of both the art and ourselves.