Fotoreproductie van een gravure van De kruisiging door Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert, naar het schilderij door Peter Paul Rubens before 1858

Jean Louis Bargignac created this photogravure of The Crucifixion after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. The composition is dominated by a central vertical axis formed by the cross, dividing the scene into dynamic clusters of figures. Notice the artist’s masterful use of light and shadow, achieved through fine, intricate lines. This technique not only defines the forms but also creates a dramatic, almost theatrical atmosphere, heightening the emotional impact of the scene. Bargignac uses stark contrasts to draw our eyes towards the figure of Christ, accentuating his suffering and vulnerability. The surrounding figures, rendered with detailed musculature and expressive gestures, contribute to a complex interplay of emotions. The gravure translates Rubens’s original baroque dynamism into a more graphic language, which invites contemplation on the themes of sacrifice and redemption. The intricate linework serves to explore the structure and emotional depth, reinforcing the enduring power of the crucifixion narrative.