The Crucifixion (Schr. 486) 15th century

This woodcut of the Crucifixion was made by an anonymous artist in the fifteenth century. Its stark black and white lines would have been highly reproducible, and images like these were often used in religious instruction. Although the scene is set in Jerusalem, its visual language is clearly European. The Roman soldiers standing to the right wear medieval armor and carry spears. To the left, the Virgin Mary and other mourning women are also dressed in the fashions of the day. The angels at the top and the devilish figure at the right represent the spiritual battle being fought. In this image, familiar religious themes become woven into the social fabric of the time. To understand this work better, we might consider the history of printmaking and the ways these images were circulated, sold, and used in religious practice. Considering the historical context helps us understand the enduring power and cultural work performed by this humble yet moving image.