Crucifixion with Virgin Mary and Saint John c. 16th century

Curator: This woodcut, titled "Crucifixion with Virgin Mary and Saint John," comes to us from an anonymous artist and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first about this stark scene? Editor: The sheer weight of sorrow, literally grounded by that skull at the base of the cross. It speaks of mortality, the earthly end. Curator: Indeed. The iconography is potent. Notice the sun and moon above, symbols often used to represent the cosmic significance of the event within Christian theology and tradition. Editor: And the angels collecting Christ’s blood in chalices – a powerful image related to sacrifice. It reinforces the idea of Christ’s suffering as redemptive. Curator: This print likely circulated widely, influencing popular perceptions of the crucifixion, embedding those symbolic layers into public consciousness. Editor: It's a visual shorthand for complex theology, accessible to a wide audience, yet steeped in profound meaning. A brutal scene, but also… strangely beautiful. Curator: A potent example of how religious imagery shaped societal beliefs and moral structures.