The Passion: The Raising of the Cross
1619
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1619
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This black-and-white print shows a group of men struggling to lift a heavy wooden cross. One figure, bare-chested and wearing a crown of thorns, is already nailed to it, his arms stretched wide. Others pull ropes, lean on the cross, or hold tools like a ladder and a hammer. The scene looks tense, with sweat and strain visible on their faces. The artist used deep shadows and strong lines to make the figures look dramatic and muscular. The Latin text at the bottom is a Bible quote about forgiveness, which fits the scene. If you like this intense style, look up Baroque.
