Man of Sorrows n.d.

This portrait of the Man of Sorrows was made by Johann Michael Püchler, around the turn of the 18th century. It's rendered entirely in ink on paper. But look closely: the image isn't drawn in the conventional sense. Instead, it's composed of tiny, painstakingly inscribed words. These coalesce to form the figure of Christ, complete with a crown of thorns and a sorrowful expression. The sheer labor involved in creating such a piece is staggering, and speaks to a deep devotion on the part of the artist. Consider how the choice of material – humble ink and paper – contrasts with the monumental subject matter. Püchler elevates the act of writing, typically a means of communication, into a devotional practice. He blurs the lines between craft and fine art, suggesting that the process of creation can be as meaningful as the final image. This piece invites us to reflect on the relationship between faith, labor, and the power of the written word.