The Station of the Cross - Twelfh Station 1965

Barnett Newman created this striking painting, part of his series "The Stations of the Cross," using stark contrasts of black and white. The vertical lines, or "zips" as Newman called them, cut through the darkness, resonating with the ancient symbol of the axis mundi, the world's central pillar found in many cultures. Consider the meaning of the cross: it is not just a religious symbol, but a point of intersection, of suffering and redemption, a reminder of human vulnerability. The stark contrast between the darkness and the light makes the image incredibly striking; it echoes the struggle between despair and hope, death and resurrection. The dark and light play echoes motifs of death and life found in various mythologies. This painting, in its abstract form, acts as a profound meditation on existence, suffering, and the enduring human spirit. Newman taps into collective memory, inviting us to confront our own existential questions within this visual space.