Broadsheet with Christ in the cross flanked by two angels 1910

This anonymous broadsheet, printed with ink on paper, depicts Christ on the cross flanked by two angels. I imagine the artist carefully etching the design onto a block, maybe wood, building up the image line by line. The stark black ink creates a powerful contrast, emphasizing the emotion of the scene. Look at the delicate lines forming the angels’ wings. I can see the artist’s hand moving, carefully and reverently crafting each detail. It reminds me of other graphic artists such as Francisco Goya. The broadsheet’s linear style has a folk art quality to it, and its creation would have been about more than just a reproduction of an image. I can imagine the printer’s focus, deeply engaged in a process that embodies their belief. Like this anonymous artist, we are all drawing inspiration from a shared visual language. Each mark we make connects us to a history of image-making. Painting, printing—it's a constant conversation across time and mediums.