Kruisdragende Christus 1822

Pietro Anderloni created this print, titled “Kruisdragende Christus,” which translates to Christ carrying the Cross, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. In this image, we see Christ embodying suffering and sacrifice, key tenets of Christian theology. Anderloni made this print during a period when religious and social structures were being challenged by enlightenment ideas and revolutionary movements. The image serves as a reminder of faith during uncertain times, reflecting a longing for stability. The suffering of Christ transcends his individual experience, embodying the collective pain and hope of humanity, and, perhaps, an idealized and lonely version of masculinity. The inscription “DOLORES NOSTROS IPSE PORTAVIT” translates to “He himself bore our pain”, emphasizing the Christian idea of empathy. As viewers, we might reflect on our own capacity for compassion, and the burdens we carry, both visible and invisible.