Carrying of the Cross, from Passion of Christ 1575 - 1600

Jan Sadeler’s “Carrying of the Cross, from Passion of Christ” is a small but intense engraving. Sadeler, working during a time of religious conflict, captures a pivotal moment in Christian theology: Jesus’s journey to crucifixion. The composition is striking in how it mixes brutality with divine narrative. Here, Jesus is not a solitary figure but one weighed down, not only by the cross, but also by the violence of the soldiers surrounding him. Look at the soldier’s cruel expressions, the way they seem to relish in his suffering. At the same time, this image is framed by symbols of faith and power, like the cherubs and Latin text, reminding the viewer of the divine drama unfolding. Note the presence of women who are witnessing and participating in these events, offering solace, and underscoring the role of women in this narrative. What does it mean to visualize such a deeply personal and spiritual event with such raw human cruelty? This image invites us to reflect on the intertwined nature of faith and power and how these dynamics affect our own stories.