Christ on the Cross with Angels c. 1490

This anonymous woodcut from around 1490 depicts the crucifixion of Christ, a central event in Christian tradition. The scene is set against a plain background, allowing the figures to stand out prominently. Christ is shown on the cross, flanked by two angels each holding a chalice, representing the blood and water that flowed from his side. The Virgin Mary and St. John, traditionally understood to be present at the crucifixion, stand in mourning on either side of the cross. The presence of a skull and bones at the base of the cross, representing the place of Adam's burial, adds a symbolic dimension to the composition.