One of the Seven Falls of Christ (Schr. 655) 15th century

This roughly four by three-inch woodcut, now at the Met, shows Christ struggling under the weight of the cross. It was made by an anonymous artist in Germany in the 1400s. Images like this circulated widely in Europe, especially among those who couldn't read. The Seven Falls of Christ was a popular theme, emphasizing Jesus' physical suffering. You'll notice the way his tormentors are dressed; their clothes help us understand the context of the image and the world in which it was made. The artist clearly took cues from his own surroundings. The architecture and even the faces reflect 15th-century Germany. Woodcuts like this weren't just religious art; they were cultural documents, revealing the values and beliefs of the time. To truly understand this work, we might look at church records, social histories, and even other artworks from the period. Each tells us something about the role of art and religion in shaping people's lives.