Christus aan het kruis, met Maria en H. Catharina 1590 - 1633

"Christus aan het kruis, met Maria en H. Catharina" is an etching by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert, dated between 1590 and 1633, and now housed in the Rijksmuseum. The artwork depicts the crucifixion of Christ with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria flanking the central figure. The scene is rendered in a detailed, realistic style typical of the Northern Renaissance, emphasizing the suffering and emotional weight of the event. The use of light and shadow creates a dramatic effect, drawing the viewer’s attention to the central figures. This powerful print was likely created to inspire devotion and contemplation amongst a religious audience, and it exemplifies the popularity of religious imagery in the 16th and 17th centuries.