Lamentation over the Dead Christ at the Foot of the Cross (recto); Studies for the Burial of Christ (verso) 1620 - 1630

Ferraù Fenzoni created this drawing, "Lamentation over the Dead Christ at the Foot of the Cross," using pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk, heightened with white, on blue paper. Fenzoni was working in Italy during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a period marked by religious and political upheaval. As part of the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority through art. Images of Christ's suffering and death were meant to inspire piety and reinforce the Church's teachings. Note the exaggerated emotion and dramatic composition, typical of the Mannerist style, which served to heighten the emotional impact on the viewer. This drawing can be seen as a reflection of the Church's agenda. Fenzoni's work serves as a reminder of the power of art to convey religious and political messages during the Counter-Reformation. To gain a deeper understanding of Fenzoni's Lamentation, we can consult historical documents, theological treatises, and art historical scholarship. This reveals the complex interplay between artistic expression, religious doctrine, and political power in early modern Italy.