The Risen Christ

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Risen Christ*, a striking drawing attributed to the Renaissance master Michelangelo Buonarroti housed in the Art Institute Chicago's Prints and Drawings. Rendered in graphite on ivory wove papermeasuring 42.1 × 22.5 cm—this intimate work captures the resurrected Christ on both recto verso, showcasing the artist's probing exploration of form and anatomy. Though dated to the 18th or 19th century, its classification as chalk aligns with Michelangelo's preferred techniques, evoking his signature mastery of the male nude, seen in masterpieces like the *Sistine Chapel* ceiling and *David*. Michelangelo, a titan of the High Renaissance, revolutionized drawing as a medium for anatomical precision and emotional intensity, often using sketches to prepare monumental sculptures and frescoes. Here, the dynamic pose and muscular vigor of Christ reflect his fascination with heroic, idealized figures drawn from classical antiquity, infused with Christian spirituality. This sheet's dual-sided composition highlights the improvisational nature of Renaissance draftsmanSHIP, inviting viewers to ponder divine resurrection through the lens of human vitality. A testament to enduring artistic genius, it bridges epochs, reminding us of Michelangelo's profound influence on Western art.

About the Artist

Michelangelo Buonarroti · 1475–1564

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475–1564) stands as the quintessential figure of the Italian High Renaissance, a sculptor, painter, architect, and poet whose mastery across disciplines embodied the era's humanist ideals. Born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese within the Republic of Florence to a modest family—his father, Lodovico di Buonarroti Simoni, served as a minor magistrate—Michelang...