Maulbronn monastery c. 1884

Wilhelm Steinhausen rendered this drawing of Maulbronn Monastery. It is dominated by a powerful symbol: the crucifix. In early Christian art, the cross emerged not merely as an emblem of execution but as a potent symbol of redemption, resurrection, and eternal life. The crucifix, in particular, with the figure of Christ, encapsulates the agony of sacrifice. Think of the medieval depictions of the crucifixion— the suffering Christ is a stark reminder of human mortality. Yet, the symbolic language of the crucifix extends further. The gesture of Christ on the cross, arms outstretched, mirrors ancient gestures of supplication and offering found in various cultures, signifying a universal appeal to the divine. In that respect, the crucifix serves as a focal point for communal grief, hope, and spiritual transcendence, deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness.