Crucifixion 15th-16th century

Editor: This is "Crucifixion," by an anonymous artist. It's a small piece, looks like a woodcut, and the scene is so raw and emotional, yet there is a quietness too. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It hits you, right? The artist uses such simple lines to convey profound grief. Notice how Christ is surrounded, yet utterly alone. And those figures--are they comforting, or are they just...there? Perhaps that's the point--how often are we truly present in moments of suffering? Editor: It's interesting that you pick up on that ambiguity; I hadn't really considered it. I was so focused on the central figure. Curator: Art's like that, isn't it? It holds up a mirror, reflecting back what we bring to it. Thanks for making me see this with fresh eyes! Editor: Likewise! This helped me to look closer at the emotional complexity in seemingly simple images.