Christ Fallen on the Cross 

Alvise dal Friso rendered this ink drawing of 'Christ Fallen on the Cross' in Venice, sometime around 1600. At this time, the Venetian Republic was a powerful and influential city-state, with its own distinctive artistic traditions. In this drawing, we see an emotional and dramatic depiction of Christ's suffering. The rapid lines and stark contrasts convey the intensity of the moment. The cultural context of Venice is important here. The city was known for its lavish displays of wealth and power, but also for its deep religious faith. Artists in Venice were often commissioned to create works that would inspire piety and devotion. Dal Friso was not the most famous Venetian artist, but he would have known people like Tintoretto. To understand this drawing better, we might research the artistic conventions of Venice in this period, as well as the religious beliefs and practices of the time. Through this work, we glimpse the intersection of art, religion, and society in early modern Venice.