Christus aan het kruis, met Maria, Johannes en Maria Magdalena after 1575

Johann Sadeler I created this engraving of Christ on the cross in the late 16th century, rendering a scene of profound religious significance through a meticulous and laborious process. Engraving is a printmaking technique where the artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, usually copper. This requires tremendous skill and control, as each line will hold ink and transfer to the paper. The depth and density of the lines create the image's tonal variations and details, and the process is inherently reproductive. It allows for the wide dissemination of images. In Sadeler’s time, printmaking was essential for spreading religious and political ideas. The labour-intensive nature of engraving also meant that workshops were required, with skilled artisans working together to produce these images, and this print is after Maarten de Vos. The choice of engraving as a medium underscores the cultural importance of this image as a vehicle for faith, reflecting the intersection of artistic skill, religious devotion, and the practicalities of production in early modern Europe.