Descent from the Cross

c. 1762-1763

François-Philippe Charpentier, after Carle Van Loo

Associated Names
François-Philippe Charpentier

Artist, French, 1734 - 1817

Carle Van Loo

Artist After, French, 1705 - 1765

The image depicts a scene from a religious artwork showing the body of a man being lowered from a wooden cross. The full length of the man is visible, suggesting a depiction of the man being taken down from the crucifix. Positioned centrally, the man is supported by three other men. Two of these men are positioned on ladders, in the process of aiding the descent, while the third is standing on the ground assisting in the process. The man has long hair and a beard, and his body appears limp as he is gently lowered. He is barely clothed, with a cloth draped around his waist. The individuals assisting in the descent wear long, flowing garments, typical of historical or biblical attire. Surrounding them, there are several women, all with their heads covered, praying and observing the scene in various postures, with some kneeling. The background features a barren landscape with a few more crosses visible, adding a somber tone to the scene. The sky is overcast, lending a muted atmosphere to the composition, and a skull is present on the ground near the base of the cross, highlighting the theme of mortality.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and aquatint with roulette printed in black on laid paper [proof]

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 60 × 41 cm (23 5/8 × 16 1/8 in.)
    plate: 57.8 × 41 cm (22 3/4 × 16 1/8 in.)
    image: 53.1 × 37.4 cm (20 7/8 × 14 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.91.10

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    IFF (1700): no. 5, State undesc. proof

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(James A. Bergquist, Newton Centre, MA); purchased 2018 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1835

  • Nagler, G.K. Neues allgemeines Kunstler-Lexikon, oder Nachrichten von dem Leben und den Werken der Maler, Bildhauer, Baumeister, Kupferstecher, Formschneider, Lithographen, Zeichner, Medailleure, Elfenbeinarbeiter, etc.. 22 vols. Munich: E.A. Fleischmann, no. 4.

1854

  • Le Blanc, Charles. _Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes, contenant le dictionnaire des graveurs de toutes les nations, dans lequel sont decrites les estampes rares, precieuses et interessantes avec l'indication de leurs differents etats et des prix auxquels: no. 2.

1930

  • IFF (1700): no. 5, undesc. proof

Inscriptions

recto: in plate, below image, at left: Carloo Vanloo delineavit; in plate, below image, at right: Charpentier Sculpsit; verso: at upper left, in graphite: Loo [underlined] (Charles André dit Carle van) / peintre et graveur, né a Nice / le 15 Fevrier 1705, mort à Paris / le 15 juillet 1765 / Auszug aus Benezit / Charpentier, René Jacques Le [underlined] / Kupferstecher und Verleger in Paris / (rue de la Harpe), geb. zu Caen 1733, / [cross] zu Paris aus 7.6.1770. / Er führte einige größere Linienstiche aus, / z. B., "das Abendmahl," und "die Fußwashung" nach L. Lombard und "La danse flamande" / nach Rubens, 1769 datiert (in seinem eigener / Verlag erschienen), ferner nach eigener Zeichnung / Christus am Kreuz und Kreuzabnahme / Auszug aus Thieme-Becker / 14.5.1988 F.W. [indecipherable name]; at botton, in brown ink: No. 50 Charpentier

Watermarks

Double eagle

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