Dead Christ with Angels

Dead Christ with Angels is a profound print created by Édouard Manet French, 1832-1883, between 1866 and 1867. This work is classified as a print, executed meticulously on copperplate using both etching and aquatint techniques. This combination allowed Manet to achieve deep textural contrasts and tonal variations, moving beyond simple linear etching. The resulting image is somber and stark, depicting the dead Christ supported by two angels who mourn his sacrifice.

Manet frequently revisited important compositional themes through various mediums. This particular composition is closely related to his 1864 oil painting of the same subject, demonstrating his desire to explore the narrative in the reproducible format of prints. As a leading figure in French Realism transitioning toward Impressionism, Manet approached religious subjects with a deliberate lack of idealization common in earlier academic works. His treatment of the figures is direct and uncompromising, focusing on the material reality of death rather than idealized spirituality. The use of dense aquatint shadows enhances the emotional weight of the scene, typical of the challenging modernist perspective Manet brought to historical themes in mid-19th century France.

The significance of this particular print lies in its demonstration of Manet’s skill as a printmaker, a discipline he actively engaged in throughout his career. This piece is housed within the renowned collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As many of Manet’s master prints are now considered cultural heritage, high-quality images of Dead Christ with Angels are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader study of the innovative graphic work produced by Manet.