Kruisoprichting 1589

This is Johann Sadeler the First's engraving, Kruisoprichting, made in the late 16th century. It depicts the raising of the cross, an archetypal scene from the Passion of Christ, rendered with a heightened sense of drama. Sadeler was working during the Counter-Reformation, a period marked by intense religious conflict and the visual arts were mobilised to reaffirm Catholic doctrine. The figures hoisting the cross, with their strained muscles and determined expressions, are not merely carrying out a task. They are participating in a moment of profound spiritual significance. The engraving would have been disseminated widely, serving as a tool for religious instruction. The image also reflects the socio-political climate of the time. The Roman soldiers, rendered with classical features, underscore the power of the Roman Empire, under whose authority Christ was crucified. The suffering of Christ becomes a powerful symbol of resistance and redemption, resonating with those experiencing persecution and injustice. The scene evokes a sense of both collective guilt and collective hope.