The Descent from the Cross

Art Historical Context

This engraving captures the poignant moment of Christ's descent from the cross, a subject rich in emotional and devotional power. Created between 1550 and 1600, it reproduces a celebrated composition by the Italian Mannerist painter Daniele da Volterra (also known as Daniele Ricciarelli), whose original fresco in Rome's Trinità dei Monti church drew inspiration from Michelangelo's dynamic figural style. The print, executed by engraver Giovanni Battista Cavalieri, translates the painting's dramatic poses and sculptural forms into fine linear detail, allowing a wider audience to experience the work beyond its original location. As a reproductive engraving, this piece exemplifies how 16th-century printmaking served as an essential bridge between elite artistic commissions and broader cultural appreciation. Measuring just over 21 by 15 inches, the trimmed sheet showcases the technical precision of the medium, with intricate hatching that conveys both the weight of the figures and the pathos of the scene. Held in the Metropolitan Museum's collection of drawings and prints, it highlights the enduring influence of Mannerist art in disseminating religious narratives across Europe during the Counter-Reformation era.

About the Artist

Giovanni Battista Cavalieri|Daniele da Volterra (Daniele Ricciarelli) · 1515–1601

Known for repertories of engravings that eflect the antiquarian interests of his patrons, who were the high clergy of the Counter-Reformation Church in Rome.