Christ is Condemed to Death, plate one from Stations of the Cross c. 1748 - 1749

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo etched "Christ is Condemned to Death" to begin his series, *Stations of the Cross.* The artist captures a pivotal moment laden with symbolic weight: Christ, burdened by the cross, embodies suffering and sacrifice, while the jeering crowd perched above, trumpets blaring, represents the volatile nature of public opinion. This scene is a powerful example of the *pathos formula*, a visual language that elicits deep emotional responses from the viewer. Consider the cross itself – an ancient symbol of execution, here transformed into an emblem of salvation. It echoes through history, appearing in various forms across cultures, from ancient pagan symbols to Christian iconography. These recurring motifs, deeply embedded in our collective memory, engage viewers on a subconscious level. The psychological impact of this image lies in its ability to tap into our shared human experience of suffering, judgment, and the yearning for redemption, a cycle perpetually etched in our cultural consciousness.