Lamentation for Christ 1510

Hans Baldung created this woodcut, Lamentation for Christ, in the early 16th century. Look closely, and you'll see the cultural and religious intensity of the late medieval period in Germany. The image depicts the dead Christ surrounded by mourners. In the foreground are the instruments of crucifixion. The powerful emotions of the figures are typical of the art of this period. But the social context is also important. During this time, woodcuts were a popular medium for disseminating religious imagery and ideas. As the Reformation gained momentum, artists like Baldung found themselves navigating a changing religious landscape. To fully appreciate this work, one can research the religious and artistic conventions of the Northern Renaissance, and consider the artist's biography, looking at his relationship to the major religious and political movements of his time. Art history helps us to situate the image in its proper cultural and institutional context.