The Descent from the Cross; Christ being taken from the cross, St John supports weight with cloth rope, from "The Passion of Christ", after Dürer
Original title: The Descent from the Cross; Christ being taken from the cross, St John supports weight with cloth rope, from "The Passion of Christ", after Dürer
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike related Passion scenes, Marcantonio Raimondi's engraving 'The Descent from the Cross' (ca. 1500–34) focuses on the act of removal itself, not on lamentation or entombment. The sheet, measuring 12.8 × 10.1 cm, survives as the second of three states. John the Evangelist supports Christ's body by gripping a rope. The print belongs to the series 'The Passion of Christ', made after designs by Albrecht Dürer.
Description
Christ hangs at the center of the cross, head bowed, arms stretched upward, his slender, muscular body pierced by nails in the hands. On the left, several figures in plain robes stand, some armed with hooks and poles; their postures convey terror or reverence. On the right, John holds the corpse by grasping a hanging rope; his face shows concern. Mountains, sky, another cross, and a crown of thorns fill the background. The arrangement is symmetrical, the figures aligned, the fabrics marked by clear folds and textures.
Context
Raimondi, an Italian Renaissance engraver, was known for reproductive prints after other artists' designs. The series 'The Passion of Christ' derives from drawings by Albrecht Dürer, which Raimondi translated into copper. Such prints helped spread pictorial ideas and circulated widely across Europe. The work was made in the first half of the 16th century, when Raimondi was active in Rome and Bologna.
Impact
Precise lines and a clear, symmetrical layout focus attention on the central action. The accurate rendering of bodies and drapery evokes an intense, almost dramatic mood that makes the suffering of the scene palpable. Despite its small size, the print feels monumental.
Technique
For this engraving, lines were cut into a copper plate with a burin. Varying density and depth of line create shading and thus a sense of volume. The present example is the second of three states, suggesting the plate was reworked.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)