Kruisdraging 1602 - 1604

This etching, *Kruisdraging,* was made by Raffaello Schiaminossi around the turn of the 17th century, and is now held in the Rijksmuseum. The tight composition, created with dense, energetic lines, conveys the emotional weight of the scene, as Christ struggles to carry the cross. The formal organization of the work reinforces the theme. The diagonal of the cross cuts through the frame, dividing the figures into a foreground of suffering and a background of taunting soldiers. Schiaminossi uses line and texture to create depth, with finer, lighter lines suggesting distance. This meticulous detail draws our eye, but also serves a structural purpose. Consider, too, the symbolism embedded in the work. The face on the cloth borne by a figure is a potent symbol of faith. It represents both divine presence and human empathy amidst suffering. Schiaminossi uses formal elements to tap into the cultural codes of his time. The cross, the crowd, the textures of garments, and the determined lines collectively construct a narrative that still provokes reflection.