The Old Rugged Cross

Verse by verse, this beloved hymn is designed within the context of a cross, each line composed of various calligraphic scripts to richly emphasize its meaning. Much of the calligraphic portion is made up of a script called "Fraktur," a German letterform meaning, "broken" which was purposefully applied here as Christ, the Word, was broken on the cross. 

Surrounding the outline of the cross is abundant flourishing acanthus leaf which clings to the cross, just as we also cling to the emblem of suffering and shame. 

Acanthus leaf has long served as a symbol of ongoing friendship and/or relationship, especially within the art of heraldic tradition. Here, too, the acanthus leaf represents the friendship we have with God the Father through the Son of Man, securing our eternal heritage through his bloodshed. 

The title of the hymn is painted to look like alabaster — a medium long-known for its significance of surrender. The alabaster flask we are most familiar with is the one we remember in the account of Matthew, Mark and again in Luke. Jesus’ anointing at Bethany is a lavish act of surrender and worship — & the broken alabaster not only foreshadows Christ’s broken body and the outpouring of His fragrance, but it reaches back to significance found as a traditional wedding gift (and we smile knowing Jesus is the Bridegroom coming for His Bride!) All at once, the alabaster flask is a wedding gift, a preparation for burial, and all-out worship.

Every color is intentionally chosen for this piece. For example, the color purple adorns the Fraktur letterforms as it is traditionally known for its representation of royalty, ultimately pointing to Christ as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Tim. 6:15, Rev. 19:16). Green chosen for the acanthus leaf represents the promise of life abundant fulfilled in Christ's coming (John 10:10). Gold leaf adorns the verse, "So I'll cling to the Old Rugged Cross" and the word, "crown" to symbolize eternal glory. 

This limited edition is carefully color matched to the original to include every variation of the vellum and gold leaf of the original artwork. 

Measures 20 x 24 inches.

Limited Edition Artwork of 300.

Published on fine art paper using archival inks.