Oprichting van het kruis van Christus 1507

Hans Baldung created this woodcut, “The Raising of the Cross,” in the early 16th century, likely in Strasbourg, Germany. It depicts the crucifixion of Christ, a central event in Christian theology, but Baldung situates it in a specific social and cultural context. The image is filled with visual cues that speak to its time. Baldung’s interest in witchcraft and the occult is evidenced in the skeleton lying at the foot of the cross. The figures raising the cross are dressed in contemporary clothing, reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. This was the time of the Reformation and the burgeoning of printing as an industry. Woodcuts were a popular medium for disseminating religious and political ideas, as they were relatively inexpensive to produce and distribute. Baldung’s decision to depict the crucifixion in this way may reflect his own religious and political beliefs. By studying Baldung’s life and times, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural forces that shaped his art.