Kruisiging met Maria, Johannes de Doper en Maria Magdalena c. 1550 - 1570

Hieronymus Cock created this print, *Crucifixion with Mary, John the Baptist, and Mary Magdalene*, in the mid-16th century. The somber mood is established by the stark contrast between light and shadow, enveloping the scene in a palpable darkness. Three figures are positioned against a shadowy backdrop, their forms rendered with a graphic intensity that amplifies the emotional weight of the crucifixion narrative. The composition divides the visual space into contrasting planes, with the foreground figures sharply delineated against a more vaguely defined background. The use of line here is crucial, directing our gaze and structuring the overall form. Notice how the stark lines and contrasting tones do not merely depict a religious scene, but also evoke a sense of dramatic tension. The artist destabilizes the traditional iconography of salvation by focusing on the stark emotionality and starkness of the crucifixion. Ultimately, it is the formal elements of this print that reveal the depth of Cock's artistic vision. The interplay between light and shadow becomes a powerful tool for conveying the complex interplay between faith and human suffering.