The Descent from the Cross

The Descent from the Cross is a profound early sixteenth-century print created by Ugo da Carpi, based upon a design composition provided by Raphael. This piece is a seminal example of the Italian mastery of printmaking during the period of 1480-1532. The medium employed is a sophisticated chiaroscuro woodcut, a process requiring multiple blocks to generate nuanced tonal gradations. Carpi utilized black and brown inks, skillfully layered to achieve the illusion of depth and illumination, effectively translating the grandeur of a devotional painting into a reproductive graphic medium.

Carpi was instrumental in popularizing the technically demanding chiaroscuro woodcut, which allowed artists to mimic the dramatic effects of wash drawing. This process was essential for the broad dissemination of ideas and compositions developed by High Renaissance masters such as Raphael. By transforming Raphael's detailed drawing into a printed edition, the artist ensured the powerful visual language of the design reached collectors and fellow artists across Europe, placing it within the historical context of Italian prints dating back to the earlier period of 1401 to 1500.

The subject matter depicts the sorrowful moment when Christ’s body is lowered from the cross following the Crucifixion, a scene imbued with intense emotional gravity. Carpi’s interpretation, using sharply defined highlights and deep shadows inherent in the chiaroscuro technique, focuses attention on the physical labor of the attendants and the pathos of the mourners gathered at the foot of the structure. This important piece of graphic art is currently housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key reference for the study of Renaissance technique. Today, high-quality images of this masterwork are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing widespread access to the print’s technical brilliance.