Kruisafneming 1619 - 1652

This is an anonymous engraving of The Descent from the Cross, now held in the Rijksmuseum. The print depicts the body of Jesus being taken down from the cross, surrounded by mourners. The image invites us to consider the themes of grief and sacrifice, common during the religious and political conflicts of the period. It reflects a moment of profound sorrow, but it also illuminates the roles of the individuals who were central to Jesus's life and ministry. Notice how the figures supporting Jesus are rendered with a mix of strength and tenderness. This image presents a moment of transition, between the public spectacle of crucifixion and the private act of mourning. How does it either maintain or depart from traditional representations of the Descent from the Cross? It makes me consider the emotional weight of faith, and the intimate human connections that persist even in the face of death.