De kruisiging 1517 - 1521

This is an engraving of the Crucifixion, displaying Christ on the cross, surrounded by mourners and a Roman soldier. Note the skull at the base of the cross, a vanitas motif symbolizing mortality, a stark reminder of death's omnipresence. This symbol echoes through time, appearing in countless memento mori artworks, from medieval tomb sculptures to contemporary art installations. Consider how the skull has been used over time, evolving from a religious symbol to a more generalized emblem of human transience. The emotional power in the mourning figures, conveys a deep subconscious connection through gestures of sorrow and supplication. The echoes of these universal expressions resonate in ancient Greek tragedies, Renaissance paintings, and even modern-day photography. The visual language of grief, passed down through generations, reminds us of our shared human experience. The continuous reverberation of these symbols reveals the cyclical progression of human history.