Last Judgment c. 1490

This woodcut print, titled "Last Judgement", was made by an anonymous artist, and invites reflection on themes of morality, judgment, and redemption. The print shows Christ enthroned in the sky with the sword of judgement hanging over him. The Virgin Mary and John the Baptist kneel below as intercessors for humanity. Anonymous, like many artists of the period, this artist was deeply embedded in a society grappling with religious reform and social upheaval. The print is not just a theological statement but an emotional appeal, playing on the hopes and fears of the faithful. The figures, rendered with simple, direct lines, evoke a sense of immediacy and personal connection. The emphasis on Christ's wounds and the supplication of Mary and John serve to humanize the divine drama, making it accessible and emotionally resonant for viewers. How does the artwork maintain traditional representations, and how does it develop alternative narratives? "Last Judgment" reflects the artist's, and perhaps the community's, yearning for divine mercy in a world that often seemed harsh and unforgiving.