Christus aan het kruis 19th century

This print of Christ on the cross was made by an anonymous artist. It would have been a common image in its time. Images of the crucifixion became iconic symbols in European Christianity. This print probably originates from the Germanic areas of Europe in the late fifteenth century, when the production of religious images as instruments of piety was at its height. Note the four saints who stand on either side of the cross. To the left, we see one dressed as a bishop, with a staff. To the right, we see two female saints with halos. Visual codes like these are not self-explanatory. Art historians have to decipher these figures, to find out who they were and what they were known for. This research involves consulting historical sources like saints’ lives, theological writings, and records of religious institutions. By combining this knowledge with visual analysis, we can better understand the social and cultural context of images like this.