Christus aan het kruis 1917

Lodewijk Schelfhout created this etching titled 'Christus aan het kruis', or 'Christ on the Cross', during his career in the first half of the 20th century. Schelfhout lived through both World Wars, which shaped a generation of artists who questioned traditional values and representation. Here, Christ appears frail, almost disappearing into the shadows of the cross, in contrast to traditional triumphant depictions. Schelfhout seems to reject the conventional heroic portrayal in favor of a more vulnerable, human figure. If we look closely, in the lower left, is a winding path leading to a castle. Is this the promise of salvation, or an admission that the path to salvation is a solitary one? The jagged, dark foreground perhaps symbolizes the trials and tribulations of life, with Christ as a beacon of hope amidst suffering. Ultimately, Schelfhout’s etching presents an intimate reflection on faith, humanity, and the search for meaning in times of turmoil. The artwork resonates with the viewer on a personal level, inviting us to contemplate our own beliefs.