Fiat voluntas tua (ske din vilje) 1571

This pen and brown ink drawing shows Christ carrying the cross, surrounded by a crowd of other figures bearing similar burdens. The cross, central to Christian iconography, here multiplies, suggesting shared suffering. The figure of Christ is the most prominent figure, with the cross, and his suffering, a key symbol. We can see the crown of thorns, a symbol of humiliation and pain, contrasting with the halo, a symbol of divinity. This can be traced through the history of art, from the early catacombs to the Renaissance. The carrying of the cross is not just an act of physical burden, but a profound statement of obedience, as the drawing’s title indicates. This motif taps into a deep, collective memory of suffering, sacrifice, and spiritual transcendence, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. This symbol of the cross has resurfaced and evolved, taking on new meanings, yet always carrying the weight of its origin.