Christus aan het kruis 1510 - 1540

Lucas van Leyden made this engraving, Christus aan het kruis, characterised by the artist’s intricate use of line and composition. The scene is built from a delicate network of fine lines and shading that captures a powerful emotional depth and a sense of profound suffering and religious contemplation. The formal structure is notable: the cross acts as a strong vertical axis around which the figures of Christ, Mary, and John are carefully arranged. The linear precision enhances the starkness of the crucifixion scene, emphasizing the anatomy of Christ and the sorrowful expressions of the mourners. Van Leyden uses line not just to define form but also to create tonal variations, adding to the drama. Consider how the materiality of the engraving—the fine, controlled lines etched into the plate—contributes to its overall impact. The detailed rendering of textures and emotions through a medium that demands precision invites us to reflect on the intersection of artistic skill and the spiritual weight of the subject matter. As we continue to engage with this work, we recognize that its meanings are continuously reshaped by our interpretations and experiences.