Christ Stripped 1507

Curator: Hans Schäufelein, active in the early 16th century, is credited with this woodcut, titled "Christ Stripped." Editor: Brrr, just looking at it gives me the chills. The stark black and white makes everything feel so raw, so exposed. Curator: Indeed. The work depicts a key moment in the Passion of Christ, focusing on the humiliation and dehumanization through the act of disrobing. The composition places Christ centrally, surrounded by figures embodying authority and aggression. Editor: Right, you can almost feel Christ's vulnerability, but it's also like… everyone else is puffed up with this grotesque self-importance. Like they need to tear him down to feel bigger. Curator: It's a powerful commentary on power dynamics, showing how systems of control operate through the degradation of the individual. Themes of religious persecution, social justice, and resistance to oppression resonate strongly. Editor: Hmm, I see what you mean. It makes you think about how we treat the "other", and how easily we fall into those patterns. It's hard to look at but ultimately worth it. Curator: It is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority. Editor: Yeah, a reminder we all need sometimes.