Artwork
Christ on a Goldsmith's Cross
Christ on a Goldsmith's Cross is an ink print by the Renaissance artist French 15th Century. It dates from 1460 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Christ on a Goldsmith’s Cross is a woodcut print executed on laid paper.
About this work
Overview
Christ on a Goldsmith’s Cross is a woodcut print executed on laid paper. The image presents a stark monochrome composition: a cross bearing a small figure, likely representing Christ, is flanked below by two standing figures, one grasping a hammer and the other a pot. The work’s lines are clean yet retain the roughness characteristic of woodcut carving, and the paper shows signs of age and wear.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure on the cross suggests a depiction of the crucifixion, while the accompanying laborers—identified by their tools—may allude to the everyday life of a goldsmith’s workshop. This juxtaposition could reflect a medieval motif linking sacred sacrifice with the honest toil of craftsmen, emphasizing the spiritual significance of ordinary work.
Technique & Style
Created by carving a design into a wooden block, the artist transferred the image onto laid paper by pressing ink onto the carved surface and then onto the paper. The resulting print displays the high-contrast black lines typical of the medium, with a relatively flat rendering and minimal shading, underscoring the graphic clarity prized in early woodcut production.
History & Provenance
The print’s material—laid paper—and its weathered condition indicate an early modern origin, though no specific date or artist is recorded. Its survival in a damaged state suggests it was likely part of a larger collection of devotional images used in domestic or workshop settings, eventually entering a museum or archival collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
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…
