Man of Sorrows with the Three Marys and the Evangelists 1555 - 1618

Adriaen Collaert’s etching, “Man of Sorrows with the Three Marys and the Evangelists,” depicts a scene from the Passion of Christ. The composition is divided into two sections: above, Christ sits upon a tomb, surrounded by a host of angels and below, the Virgin Mary and other mourners grieve his death. Collaert’s masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of both sorrow and hope, reflecting the central Christian theme of sacrifice and resurrection. This small, detailed print likely served as a devotional object for private use. The inscription at the bottom includes Latin verses reflecting upon the sorrow of Christ’s suffering, emphasizing the importance of the image as a meditation on the Passion.