Christ on the Road to Calvary 1731 - 1793

Thaddäus Kuntz created this pen and brown ink drawing called, ‘Christ on the Road to Calvary’, sometime in the 18th century. This image captures a moment from the Passion of Christ, focusing on his suffering and humility on the way to his crucifixion. Drawings like this one, produced in the Germanic lands of the 1700s, reflect an era of religious revival and reform. We see this in the highly emotional and personal connection to Christ's suffering. The influence of the Catholic Church, which historically commissioned much of the art on religious themes, was waning, resulting in new forms of religious expression that were considered more personal and less institutional. When studying art like this, it's important to look at the theological, social and political context in which it was made. Examining archival records, religious texts, and the writings of contemporary thinkers help us understand this artwork and its place within 18th-century society. It reveals how art engages with, reflects, and sometimes challenges the norms and beliefs of its time.