Art History Professor Weighs In: 'Can Art Shed Light on the Ethics of Capital Punishment?'

Across centuries, art has been used to depict trying human experiences, displaying, for instance, scenes of capital punishment. But do these works foster empathy among viewers?

Sojourners called upon Virginia Raguin, Distinguished Professor of Humanities and art history division head at the College of the Holy Cross, to offer her expertise as an art historian. In the article, the medievalist noted that “the mid-13th century represented a turning point in empathy-fostering art,” particularly noticeable in the evolution of artists’ depictions of a crucified Christ.

Read the full article on the Sojourners website.