Kruisafneming 1590 - 1638

This print, "Kruisafneming," rendered by an anonymous artist, captures the poignant scene of Christ's descent from the cross. The most striking symbol, of course, is the cross itself, bearing the inscription "INRI," a visual shorthand for the Latin "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" or "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." Consider how this symbol of suffering and authority has traveled through time. From ancient Roman instrument of punishment to emblem of salvation, the cross appears in myriad forms across cultures. We see it re-emerge in the stigmata of saints, the heraldic emblems of crusaders, and even in modern-day fashion. The grief-stricken figures surrounding Christ speak to our collective memory of loss. Like the Pietà, this image taps into a deep, subconscious understanding of mourning, a shared human experience that transcends time. The cyclical progression of the cross, death, and rebirth serves as a potent reminder of the enduring power of symbols.