Beata Humbelina with Crucifix c. 1700

Johann Christoph Lischka created this drawing of Beata Humbelina with Crucifix with pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over graphite at an unknown date. The devotional scene centers on Humbelina’s embrace of the crucifix, a symbol of Christ's sacrifice. The crucifix itself is laden with historical and religious weight. This potent symbol of suffering and redemption echoes across centuries, from early Christian art to the Renaissance. The image of the cross, initially a symbol of brutal execution, became a powerful emblem of faith, hope, and divine love. It is through embracing this suffering that Beata Humbelina finds spiritual solace and enlightenment. One can draw parallels to earlier depictions of the crucifixion, where the cross is presented as a tree of life. Here, the crucifix serves not only as a reminder of death but also as a pathway to spiritual rebirth. In the collective memory, this image engages deep, subconscious emotions related to sacrifice and devotion. The cyclical recurrence of this symbol reaffirms its enduring power and evolving significance in the human psyche.