Raising the Cross c. 1490

Here is a woodblock print depicting the raising of the cross. The scene is rendered with bold lines and striking colors, creating a visceral image of the event. The composition, dominated by the diagonal thrust of the cross, is designed to draw your eye upward, mimicking the very act of raising. Notice the color palette: the earthy tones of the cross and the figures contrast sharply with the green field and the blue sky, a visual division that highlights the tension between the earthly and the divine. The cross itself is not merely a structural element, but a signifier laden with meaning. The artist presents a scene that invites viewers to contemplate not just the narrative, but the symbolic weight carried by each element. This print challenges us to decode the visual language of faith and suffering.