Early European Print : The Crucifixion

Early European Print

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Impression on paper from an etched metal plate depicting the Crucifixion, Christ on the Cross, central, facing the viewer, on a tablet above his head the inscription INRI [reversed], his loincloth blowing to the left. To the right, the Virgin standing with clasped hands facing left, next to a tree which is lettered with the date: MoCCCCoXXXo [reversed]. To the left, Saint John standing, facing right, with one hand at his waist holding a tablet, on the lower part of which are the initials GH, and the other raised to his chin. At the top there is an arabesque in Moorish style, while the dotted base is decorated with large floral tendrils. At the foot of the Cross, Adam's skull. The top of the plate is rounded. With nine holes around the outer border, indicating that the plate was nailed at some point. The bottom left of the plate was designed in such a ways as to incorporate a semi-circular space (the design runs around this space, and one of the nail holes is within that design); at a later date this space has been filled with another engraved piece matching the Arabesque design at the head.</p>