St. Christoffel 1922

Bernard Essers created this woodcut print of St. Christoffel, whose dates are unknown, sometime before his death in 1945. Essers, a Dutch artist, was part of a generation deeply affected by the social and political upheavals of the early 20th century. The print depicts St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, carrying the Christ Child across a river. In this rendition, we see a burly man, rendered with the stark contrasts that are typical of woodcut prints. He is wading through a body of water under a dramatic sky. Christopher's story is one of service and unexpected revelation; he unknowingly carries the weight of the world on his shoulders in the form of a child. There is a raw, physical vulnerability in Essers’ depiction, which speaks to broader themes of duty, sacrifice, and the hidden burdens we all carry. The emotional intensity of the piece lies in its ability to transform a religious narrative into a profoundly human experience. In this, the artwork invites us to reflect on our own journeys and the burdens we bear for one another.