Kruisafname 1918 - 1919

Max Beckmann created this print, titled "Kruisafname," and measuring 307 by 258 mm. Notice the deposition scene; the removal of Christ’s body from the cross. Throughout the ages, the cross serves as a potent symbol. Once a mark of Roman execution, it evolved into an emblem of sacrifice, redemption, and profound spiritual significance. The act of lowering Christ from the cross is often depicted with a group of figures surrounding Him, each bearing their own emotional weight. Consider the grieving figures. This reflects ancient mourning rituals, gestures of lamentation, and their persistent presence in art. We see it echo through time in the art of ancient Greece to Renaissance masters. These figures are embodiments of sorrow and reflect humanity's primal responses to death and loss. Beckmann captures not just a moment, but a collective, timeless expression of grief, deeply imprinted in our cultural memory.