Christus met doornenkrans 1877 - 1930

Henri de Groux made this print of Christ with a Crown of Thorns using a whole bunch of scratchy lines. It’s like he’s feeling around for the form, letting the process itself lead the way. Look closely, and you can see how he uses these lines to build up texture, especially in the crown of thorns and the beard. The paper is left bare in many places, which makes the image feel kind of fragile, almost like a memory. Notice the way the lines around his eyes are darker and more defined; it really brings out the sorrow in his face. It’s not just about showing us what Christ looks like, but about making us feel something. This reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz, who also used printmaking to explore themes of suffering and grief. Art is always talking to other art; it is a big conversation across time. This piece isn’t trying to give us all the answers, and that’s what makes it so powerful.