Vierde kruiswegstatie 1931

This is Lodewijk Schelfhout’s ‘Fourth Station of the Cross’, made around 1931. Notice how Schelfhout composes the image using line and texture to create a sense of weight and emotional depth. The stark black and white etching emphasizes the contrast between light and shadow, directing our attention to the central figure of Christ. The cross, rendered with bold strokes, cuts diagonally across the composition, adding to the sense of burden. The subtle halo around Christ’s head, achieved through delicate lines, contrasts with the rough texture of the cross. Schelfhout seems to be challenging traditional representations of religious suffering through abstraction, and thus prompting a more introspective engagement with the themes of sacrifice and compassion. The minimalist approach invites us to contemplate the emotional core of the scene rather than its literal depiction.