Crucifixion with Two Angels
Medium
Engraving and etching
Dimensions
sheet: 12 1/16 x 7 11/16 in. (30.6 x 19.6 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
Accession Number
59.595.1
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *Crucifixion with Two Angels*, a striking 16th-century print attributed to engraver Giulio Bonasone after a design by the Renaissance master Michelangelo Buonarroti, created around 1540. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this engraving and etching measures about 12 by 7.5 inches and captures the solemn drama of Christ's crucifixion flanked by two mourning angels—a classic motif in Christian iconography symbolizing divine sorrow and redemption. Bonasone, a skilled Bolognese printmaker, faithfully reproduced Michelangelo's dynamic composition, showcasing the artist's mastery of human anatomy and emotional intensity from the High Renaissance transitioning into Mannerism. The use of engraving (incising lines into a copper plate) combined with etching (acid-biting for softer tones) allowed for intricate details in the figures' muscular forms, flowing drapery, and expressive faces, making complex designs accessible beyond paintings. This work highlights the era's print revolution, democratizing elite art for collectors and devotees across Europe. Its emotional power and technical precision continue to draw visitors, offering a window into Michelangelo's enduring influence on sacred imagery.
About the Artist
Giulio Bonasone|Michelangelo Buonarroti · 1500–1600
Comment on works: History; Mythology