Graflegging 1508 - 1561

Battista Franco made this engraving, Graflegging, in Italy sometime in the mid-16th century. It shows the body of Christ being lowered into his tomb. The figures surrounding his body, including Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary, express grief. Consider the role of the church in 16th-century Italy. Religious institutions were primary patrons of the arts. Franco worked during the Counter-Reformation, when the Catholic Church sought to reassert its authority through art. Images such as this one aimed to reinforce faith and piety. The engraving's stark lines and dramatic composition serve to evoke a strong emotional response, drawing viewers into the scene and encouraging them to contemplate Christ's sacrifice. To better understand this work, art historians explore the religious and political context of the time. We look at the traditions of religious art, the patronage systems, and the artist's biography. By doing this, we can better appreciate the complex interplay between art, society, and belief.