The Crucifixion, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi 1507

Hans Schäufelein created this woodcut, "The Crucifixion," part of "Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi," around 1507-1508. The composition immediately draws the eye to the stark figure of Christ, nailed high upon the cross. The artist uses a dense network of lines to carve out a scene of profound drama. The linear quality of the woodcut—the stark contrast between black and white—emphasizes the angularity of Christ’s body, highlighting a sense of suffering through graphic form. Look closely at how Schäufelein uses line to delineate form and shadow. This creates a stage for emotional and spiritual reflection. The cross, a powerful vertical element, divides the composition. On one side, there’s a crowd of onlookers displaying various emotional states. The other side features soldiers, their spears creating dynamic lines that intersect the scene. Consider how this print’s visual structure serves the period’s religious discourse. It invites a meditation on sacrifice, faith, and the complex interplay between divine and human suffering. Here, the woodcut serves as a powerful visual tool in exploring enduring human themes.