Christ on the Cross Between the Virgin and Saint John c. 1502

Lucas Cranach the Elder captured this woodcut depicting "Christ on the Cross Between the Virgin and Saint John." Dominating the scene is Christ crucified, flanked by Mary and John, a tableau rich with Christian symbolism. Note the skull at the foot of the cross, a memento mori signaling mortality and atonement, echoing images found in Roman art. Consider its visual echo in classical depictions of vanquished foes, where skulls served as trophies. The figure of Christ resonates with the suffering servant motif seen throughout history. Similarly, the halo, a beacon of divinity around each saint, has its roots in ancient sun worship and the pagan notion of emanating light. The emotional power of the scene is undeniable; Cranach taps into a collective memory of grief and sacrifice. These symbols are not static; they evolve and resurface, taking on new meanings in the ever-turning wheel of history.