The Bearing of the Cross

Depicted here is one of twelve engravings that comprise the passion cycle executed by Hendrick Goltzius, dedicated to Cardinal Federigo Borromeo (1564-1631). Somewhat paradoxically, it was Goltzius' adeptness at replicating the styles of other artists that set him apart from his peers. According to the account provided in Karel van Mander's Schilder-Boeck of 1604, Goltzius became interested in imitating the styles of the old masters and of his contemporaries after visiting Italy in 1590. In this series, each print masterfully emulates the delicate crosshatching and softness of line that Dutch artist Lucas van Leyden (1494-1533) used in his engravings of 1512-20. As van Mander noted, Goltizus' compositions diverge from those of Lucas van Leyden, as Goltizus incorporates compositional elements taken from Albrecht Dürer's (1471-1528) passion cycles, as well as elements of the artist's own invention.