Christ on the cross 

This drawing of 'Christ on the Cross' is by Anthony van Dyck, who lived from 1599 to 1641, and is held in the Städel Museum. The initial impression is one of spareness: a brown ink defines the skeletal form of Christ against the starkness of the paper. Van Dyck uses line sparingly yet expressively, creating a study in contrasts. The verticality of the cross sharply opposes the sagging, curved body of Christ. Note how the minimal strokes articulate both suffering and grace. This is heightened by the contrast between the roughly sketched landscape with the carefully delineated anatomy. Van Dyck's economical approach doesn't diminish the emotional or spiritual depth. Instead, the work invites contemplation on the essence of the crucifixion. In viewing, we are confronted with the raw physicality and theological implications of this scene.