Pietà (Design for an Altar) 1590 - 1600

This drawing by Peter Candid, a prominent Mannerist artist, is a design for an altar, depicting a Pietà, a devotional scene of the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of Christ. The composition is set within a decorative architectural frame, suggesting the intended placement of the artwork within a church or chapel. The scene is framed by a large arch and includes angels above the figures, adding a celestial dimension to the sorrow of the moment. The drawing is characteristic of Candid's style, with precise outlines and meticulous details in his depiction of the human form, garments, and architectural elements.