Christ at the Foot of the Cross, Mourned by Mary and John 1515 - 1539

Nicolaas Hogenberg created this delicate, circular drawing, “Christ at the Foot of the Cross, Mourned by Mary and John,” sometime in the 16th century. The monochrome palette and fine lines lend a sense of somber reflection. The composition is structured around the body of Christ, which lies horizontally at the base, creating a stark contrast with the vertical figures surrounding him. Notice how Hogenberg uses the ladder and the cross in the background to frame the scene, directing our gaze towards the central figures of Mary and John, whose grief is palpable in their downcast postures. The circular format, or ‘tondo,’ was popular during the Renaissance, often used to symbolize perfection and harmony. Here, however, it seems to contain the emotional intensity of the moment, focusing our attention on the intimate sorrow rather than any sense of divine resolution. This tondo, with its confined emotion, challenges the viewer to consider the contained, almost claustrophobic nature of grief.