Christ Bearing the Cross 1600 - 1700

This small drawing in pen and brown ink depicts the figure of Christ struggling with the weight of the cross, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers and Roman soldiers. We do not know when or where it was made, nor the identity of the artist. The subject matter belongs to a long tradition within Christian art that shows scenes from the Passion. These images once performed a public function, reminding viewers of the suffering of Christ and the promise of salvation. During the medieval period, art was largely produced under the auspices of the Church. But by the Renaissance, artists increasingly sought patronage from wealthy individuals and the court. In the absence of a known origin for this work, we can only speculate on the cultural context in which it might have been made. But through detailed examination, and the use of historical resources, we can propose a date and a place, as well as a function, for this intriguing and anonymous image.