The Ascension of Christ into heaven, from "The Passion of Christ"
Original title: The Ascension of Christ into heaven, from "The Passion of Christ", after Dürer
kurzbeschreibung
Created between around 1500 and 1534, this engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi depicts the Ascension of Christ after a design by Albrecht Dürer. The print survives in its second state of three. The apostles are shown watching the event, while Christ himself does not appear in the image. The engraving belongs to a series on the Passion of Christ.
Description
Several apostles are spread across the picture surface: one kneels on the ground, others stand or sit. Their garments show fine folds and shadows that create spatial depth. Clouds and angels at the upper edge point to the presence of Christ, who is not depicted. The arrangement is symmetrical, with the apostles grouped to the left and right, while the center is reserved for the heavenly sign. Diffused light from above makes the clouds and angels stand out.
Context
Marcantonio Raimondi based this work on a design by Albrecht Dürer, whose Passion series circulated widely. Raimondi was known for his reproductive engravings, through which he brought Dürer's works to a broader Italian audience. The dating of around 1500–1534 covers his active years in Rome, where he became famous for detailed copies.
Impact
A calm, devotional mood pervades the print, supported by the symmetrical arrangement and soft light. The linework directs attention to the gestures of the apostles and the heavenly signs, bringing out the spiritual significance of the moment.
Technique
In this engraving, lines are incised into a metal plate and then printed. The second of three states suggests revisions that refined the shading. The monochrome print uses various gray tones and hatching to achieve plasticity and effects of light.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)