Christ on the Cross Between Mary and Saint John

Like the Man of Sorrows nearby (1944.172), this woodcut depicting Christ’s mother and his most beloved apostle in mourning is a rare example of European medieval devotional practices. The print was found pasted with several others in a book in the library of the Abbey of Saint Gall. Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection formed the crux of Christian belief, and so these events were depicted frequently. The hand-colored blood on Christ’s body has since faded to light brown, softening its visual impact. As a result, however, this image becomes even more quietly poignant and melancholy.