Self-portrait 1912

Carl Larsson created this self-portrait using etching. The cross is not merely a symbol of Christianity but a profound expression of faith, sacrifice, and redemption. Its roots sink deep into the primordial soil of human spirituality, with echoes in ancient symbols of cosmic order, such as the Egyptian ankh, signifying life itself. The cross continues to evolve, appearing in unexpected places, such as modernist abstractions, reflecting the human longing for meaning and transcendence. Larsson’s choice to place the cross subtly in the background suggests a world where sacredness quietly infuses domesticity and everyday life. The recurring motif of the cross, whether in ancient Egyptian form or modernist abstraction, speaks to the endurance of human longing for meaning, forever resurfacing in our collective consciousness.