Christ Brought before the People 1998

Curator: Leon Kossoff's "Christ Brought before the People," held here at the Tate, confronts us with a moment of stark, raw intensity. Editor: It feels less like a biblical scene and more like a frantic newsprint image of a riot, or some kind of intense political rally gone wrong. Curator: The etching technique seems to amplify the emotional turmoil. I find myself focusing on the symbols—the draped figure reminiscent of Pontius Pilate, the faceless crowd. It’s a potent depiction of the individual versus the collective. Editor: And the architectural elements! They’re almost collapsing under the weight of the moment. Kossoff seems to be asking: what structures uphold, and which ones fail us in these moments of decision? This work makes a powerful statement about power and its display. Curator: Indeed, it’s an important statement about the cyclical nature of power, and how easily it can be swayed by the crowd. Editor: Yes, it's a reminder that images themselves can participate in the sway of power, for better or worse.