Art Institute of Chicago

Christ of Caprarola

Annibale Carracci

Date

1597

Medium

Etching, with engraving and drypoint, on ivory laid paper

Culture

Italy

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Although not found in the canonical gospels, the Lamentation over the dead body of Christ was a popular subject in Catholic Italy during the 16th century. Annibale Carracci himself painted it no less than six times. This print, which marks his return to printmaking after a brief hiatus, signals a mature use of the medium of etching to give immediacy to a familiar theme. By employing an unusually fine etching tool as well as the drypoint technique, the artist produced shimmering lines that emphasize the mood of agitated mourning. The title refers to the small city of Caprarola, 50 miles from Rome, where Carracci executed and signed the print.

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