Christus aan het kruis met Maria, Johannes en Maria Magdalena 17th century

This woodcut depicts the crucifixion and includes Mary, John, and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross, made by an anonymous artist. The scene is set against a stark landscape under a sky divided by the sun and moon. Consider the emotional weight of this scene. The figures are rendered with a simplicity that evokes a sense of universal sorrow and empathy. The artist uses the starkness of the woodcut medium to amplify the scene's emotional depth. Mary Magdalene’s positioning at the base of the cross emphasizes the feminine role in mourning and spiritual devotion. This image reflects a society grappling with faith, mortality, and the roles of women within religious narratives, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersection of faith, gender, and human suffering.