Christ, right hand raised in the gesture of blessing, from "Piccoli Santi" (Small Saints)
Original title: Christ, right hand raised in the gesture of blessing, from "Piccoli Santi" (Small Saints)
kurzbeschreibung
Christ stands facing forward on a low pedestal, his right hand raised in blessing. Marcantonio Raimondi engraved this sheet between 1500 and 1527. A cross rests on the figure's left shoulder, part of a series of small saint prints.
Description
The figure of Christ appears frontally, right hand lifted to bless. A cross with a rope wound around it lies on his left shoulder. Barefoot, dressed in a long-sleeved tunic with a sash draped over one shoulder, he stands against a plain ground. A halo surrounds his head, marking his holiness. The background stays empty, drawing the eye entirely to the figure.
Context
Raimondi, an Italian engraver of the Renaissance, became known for reproductive prints after designs such as those of Raphael. The 'Piccoli Santi' series dates from his mature period and gathers small devotional images. Such prints were common in the early sixteenth century and served private piety. Active in Rome, Raimondi contributed significantly to the spread of printmaking in Italy.
Impact
The frontal arrangement and calm gesture speak directly to the viewer and invite devotion. Clear contours and sparse internal lines give the sheet a simple nobility that encourages contemplation. Though small in format, the image gains a striking presence.
Technique
For engraving, lines were cut into a copper plate and then printed. This method allows fine gradations and precise details, as seen in the drapery and the halo. Raimondi used it to produce numerous impressions, which helped circulate the images.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)