Corpus Christi

Art Historical Context

**Corpus Christi** by Battista Franco, created before 1555, is a striking example of 16th-century Italian printmaking housed in the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints department. This etching and engraving measuring about 9 13/16 x 7 5/16 inches, captures a poignant religious scene featuring Christ and angels, evoking the solemn theme of the Body of Christ—a central motif in Renaissance devotion. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund 1953, it reflects the era's deep Catholic spirituality amid the Counter-Reformation. Franco, a Venetian artist influenced by masters like Raphael and Michelangelo, blended Mannerist elegance with emotional intensity. His use of etching and engraving techniques allowed for fine lines and rich tonal contrasts, making complex compositions like ethereal angels supporting the limp form of Christ both intimate and reproducible. Prints like this democratized sacred art, bringing it into homes and churches across Europe. Though trimmed at the margins, preserving the platemark highlights its authenticity as a collector's piece. Visitors will appreciate how Franco's work bridges painting and print, offering a window into Renaissance Italy's fusion of faith, technique, and humanism.

About the Artist

Battista Franco · 1510–1561

Battista Franco, known as il Semolei, was born in Venice around 1510, though his career unfolded largely in Rome and at the courts of central and northern Italy. He came to Rome in his twenties and immediately fell under two powerful spells: the inexhaustible riches of classical antiquity and the overwhelming presence of Michelangelo. Franco spent years making drawings after ancient sculptures and...