Kruisdraging 1590 - 1622

Editor: Here we have "Kruisdraging," or "Bearing of the Cross," an engraving made between 1590 and 1622 by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert, housed in the Rijksmuseum. The sheer number of figures is striking, all rendered with such precise lines. It's a powerful, somber image. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the immediately recognizable biblical scene, I see a potent commentary on power, suffering, and collective grief. Bolswert's engraving invites us to consider the social dynamics at play. Notice how Christ is surrounded: soldiers enforcing their authority, weeping women embodying the emotional toll of the event, and a distant crowd seemingly baying for blood. How might we interpret this composition through the lens of resistance and oppression? Editor: So, it's not just a religious scene, but also a commentary on societal structures? Curator: Precisely. Consider the role of Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry the cross. He wasn't acting out of faith but was forced into service. What does it say about power when compassion becomes compulsory? The suffering, presented not just as individual agony but a public spectacle, raises questions about how authority manipulates collective emotions. What stories of injustice does it echo in today's world? Editor: It's interesting to think about how images can reflect power dynamics. The crowd, the soldiers, all these elements tell a story that’s beyond just the biblical narrative. I see the universality in the image now and a timeless snapshot of historical inequities. Curator: Yes. And reflecting upon those inequities can help inspire change today. By understanding how historical events have been visually constructed and disseminated, we can challenge contemporary forms of oppression.