Kruisafneming 1670 - 1682

Curator: Here we have Melchior Küsel’s engraving, "Kruisafneming" or "Descent from the Cross," dating from the late 17th century, a print housed in the Rijksmuseum. It’s… intense, isn’t it? Editor: It is. There’s so much detail packed into such a small space, it's almost overwhelming. I’m curious about what grabs your attention in this piece, what do you make of the staging? Curator: For me, it's that dynamic energy. Look at the sky, churning with a tempestuous sort of grief. The figures are caught in these frantic movements; each seemingly imbued with raw sorrow as Christ is lowered so gingerly from the cross. It’s like a tightly wound spring about to burst with pathos. Do you notice the light? Where does your eye keep going? Editor: I see what you mean. My eye is drawn to the pallor of Christ's body, that stark contrast against the darkness, makes it the focal point of the whole engraving. It also creates the feeling of tenderness. Curator: Exactly. And remember, this is the Baroque era. Artists wanted to evoke emotion. Now, knowing what we know about how many prints there are of the Deposition or Descent of Christ, and their incredible circulation, I have to wonder whether Küsel made this just for himself, you know? Something that sits closer to a deeply felt empathy? What do you think? Editor: That's a beautiful idea, actually. It makes it feel all the more powerful. It’s fascinating to see such grand themes explored in what feels like such an intimate medium. Curator: Isn’t it though? Art has a clever way of getting under our skin. Thanks for that perspective; it changed how I look at this print now.