The Descent from the Cross 

Ludwig of Ulm created this small woodcut depicting The Descent from the Cross in the late 15th or early 16th century. As a print, it would have been relatively inexpensive and widely available. The image shows Christ being removed from the cross while grieving onlookers watch. The event takes place in a grassy field with a simple, unornamented cross. The scene may be an attempt to bring the divine down to earth. Look at how the artist attempted to create relatable imagery through visual codes and cultural references. This print was made during a time of significant religious and social upheaval in Germany, as calls for reform of the Catholic Church grew louder. As art historians, we ask: Was this art commissioned by the church, or was it a devotional piece for the home? To understand it better, we might look to books of hours and other examples of religious art from the period. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.