Kruisiging 1769 - 1808

Andreas Massinger created this print of the Crucifixion around the turn of the 19th century. The image depicts Christ on the cross between the two thieves. Below, we see the reactions of various onlookers. Crucifixion scenes were common in European art for centuries, often commissioned by the church or wealthy patrons. Massinger's print, however, invites us to consider the changing role of religious imagery during the Enlightenment. As traditional institutions came under scrutiny, artists began to question established norms. In the Netherlands, where Massinger worked, there was a strong movement towards more personal and introspective forms of religious expression. To fully understand Massinger's work, we might look at religious pamphlets and sermons from the time to better understand the variety of views about the public role of the church. By studying the social and intellectual context, we can appreciate how artists like Massinger grappled with faith and doubt during a period of profound social change.