15 Oval Scenes From the Life of Christ and a Scene of a Saint Adoring the Holy Cross 1670 - 1740

This undated drawing presents 15 oval scenes from the life of Christ along with a scene of a saint adoring the Holy Cross. Created by an anonymous artist, it evokes a world steeped in religious devotion. In a society profoundly shaped by the Church, religious artworks served as powerful tools for instruction. These scenes, rendered with meticulous detail, would have reinforced core Christian beliefs. The choice of vignettes from Christ's life—his trials, crucifixion, and ascension—reflects the era's focus on sacrifice, redemption, and divine power. The inclusion of a saint adoring the cross further emphasizes the importance of personal piety. What emotional responses might this image have triggered in its original audience? Perhaps a sense of comfort, of moral guidance, or even a feeling of awe in the face of the divine? This work invites us to consider the interplay between faith, art, and the construction of identity in a world where religion was not just a belief system, but a way of life.