Christ standing, hands tied with rope

Art Historical Context

This poignant 19th-century Mexican woodcut, titled *Christ Standing, Hands Tied with Rope captures a solemn moment from the Passion of Christ, just before he bears the cross. Rendered anonymously by a skilled Mexican printmaker, the small-scale image (5 1/16 × 3 9/16 in.) depicts Jesus bound and resolute, evoking deep empathy and devotion. Woodcuts like this were relief prints carved into wood blocks, allowing for inexpensive reproduction—ideal for widespread use in homes, churches, and religious processions across colonial and post-independence Mexico. In 19th-century Mexico, where Catholicism intertwined with indigenous traditions, such prints flourished as accessible folk art. This piece, possibly a re-strike from an original block, reflects the era's vibrant tradition of *imágenes populares*—humble yet powerful devotional aids that brought biblical scenes to the masses. The stark lines and expressive simplicity highlight the woodcut's raw emotional directness, a hallmark of Mexican printmaking before modern lithography took hold. A treasured gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from artist and scholar Jean Charlot in 1930, this print now resides in the Drawings and Prints department. It invites visitors to ponder Christ's humanity amid suffering, bridging centuries of faith and artistry.