Descent from the Cross 1505

Hans Baldung created this woodcut, "Descent from the Cross," sometime in the first half of the 16th century. The work embodies the religious and social turmoil of the Reformation era. As you observe the scene, consider how Baldung departs from traditional representations of the Descent. The figures are rendered with a raw, almost grotesque emotionality, underscoring the agony of Christ's sacrifice. The stark contrast of light and shadow heightens the drama. The skull in the foreground serves as a memento mori, a reminder of the ever-present reality of death. Baldung’s work resonates with the anxieties of a society grappling with religious upheaval and social change. The Descent becomes a stage for exploring the messy, painful realities of human existence. It invites us to confront our own mortality and to empathize with the suffering of others.