Christ is Helped by Simon of Cyrene, plate five from Stations of the Cross c. 1748 - 1749

This etching, "Christ is Helped by Simon of Cyrene," is the fifth plate in Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's "Stations of the Cross" series, created around 1748-49. The scene depicts the moment when a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, is forced to help Jesus carry the cross to Golgotha. The dramatic composition, with the weight of the cross balanced on Simon's shoulders, captures the physical and emotional toll of the journey. Tiepolo's signature style is evident in the use of light and shadow, and the expressive figures, creating a powerful and moving depiction of this pivotal moment in the Passion of Christ. The etching is housed in The Art Institute of Chicago.