1490
ink
parchment
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Christ on the Cross is a 1490 ink by French 15th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This woodcut shows a man nailed to a cross, with two people standing below him. The man on the cross has a crown of thorns and blood dripping down. One person on the left looks sad, holding their hands together. The other person on the right holds a small box and looks up at the cross. Behind them, a city with towers is drawn in the background. The letters "INRI" are above the cross, and a skull lies on the ground below. The style is simple and flat, with strong black lines against a light background. This was made as a printed image, not painted by hand. Look up woodcut to see how this kind of print was made.
This artist hid their best work inside old travel trunks. They glued vivid woodcuts into the lids of wooden boxes meant to be carried on horseback, like secret postcards from God. If you’ve ever pried open a cracked lid…
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