Christ on the Cross, Saint John to the Right Looking Toward Him, to the Left Is the Fainting Virgin Mary Supported by Two Women
Original title: Christ on the cross, Saint John to the right looking toward him, to the left is the fainting Virgin Mary supported by two women
kurzbeschreibung
Agostino Carracci's 1582 engraving sets the Crucifixion before our eyes: Christ on the cross, Saint John at the right raising his gaze, and at the left the fainting Virgin Mary, held up by two women. This richly detailed sixteenth-century print draws figures and architecture together into a tightly woven narrative.
Description
Christ occupies the middle of the picture, muscular and with a carefully worked face. To the right John turns toward the crucified figure, while on the left Mary sinks into a swoon, supported by two women. A city view closes off the distance, and above it a cloudy sky bears the sign of the cross. On the cross itself stands the inscription "I.N.R.I.", naming the King of the Jews.
Context
Carracci made this print in 1582, during the years of his activity in Bologna and Venice. It follows the established iconography of the Crucifixion as it was familiar in sixteenth-century Italy. The arrangement of the figures and the "I.N.R.I." inscription correspond to the biblical account of this subject.
Impact
The steady symmetry of the figures first catches the eye, then draws it inward to where Christ hangs on the cross. Crisp lines and graded shading produce a calm, devotional mood. The grave tone of the image brings the central event of the Crucifixion to the fore.
Technique
In engraving, the lines are cut into a copper plate and then printed. This method allows precise hatching and fine gradations of tone, which give body and drapery their sculptural presence. The monochrome printing underlines the graphic quality and the distinctive character of the artist's line.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)