Kruisafneming 1608 - 1708

Editor: So, this is the "Kruisafneming," or "Descent from the Cross," an intaglio print by Lucas Kilian. It’s dated sometime between 1608 and 1708 and it has such an intense and somber feeling to it. What strikes me is the sheer number of figures surrounding Christ, almost overwhelming him. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, it sings with a drama, doesn't it? All that baroque emotion etched onto paper. Look at the swirling composition; it feels like everyone’s caught in a whirlwind of grief. And think about the print medium itself - so democratic, allowing these powerful religious scenes to reach a wide audience, to ripple through society. Do you notice how the light seems to fall almost theatrically? Editor: I do, it really highlights certain figures and casts others into shadow. I am struck by all the figures, their wings creating texture and creating almost a frame. It feels more intimate and complex because of this visual crowding. Curator: Exactly! Now consider Kilian. He wasn’t just illustrating the Bible; he was interpreting it through the lens of his own time, grappling with faith, mortality, the human condition itself. Imagine him, in his studio, meticulously carving away at that copper plate. Did he grapple with his own belief as he captured these figures? Editor: It really gives you a lot to think about, the life and intention of the artist and the emotions imbued in the print. It has certainly provided some new angles to consider. Curator: And isn't that the joy of art? It reflects the light of the present. Every generation gets a fresh perspective. A silent but mighty language of ink.