Descent from the Cross c. 16th century

Editor: This is Lambert Hopfer's "Descent from the Cross," housed in the Harvard Art Museums. The composition feels very dense, especially with all the figures crammed into the scene. What do you notice about the work's formal elements? Curator: Observe how Hopfer uses line. The density of hatching creates areas of deep shadow, heightening the emotional intensity. Note the directional lines, too, leading the eye toward the figure of Christ. Editor: That's a great point. It also highlights the almost harsh contrast between light and dark. Curator: Precisely. And consider how this stark contrast contributes to the overall drama and pathos of the scene. The artist invites us to contemplate the formal construction and its effects. Editor: I see it now! Paying attention to those lines really changes how I understand the piece.