The Descent from the Cross 1568 - 1569

Federico Barocci made this drawing, "The Descent from the Cross," using chalk and graphite on blue paper. The texture of the paper itself is quite visible; it has a tactile quality that contrasts with the ethereal scene Barocci is depicting. The blue creates an atmospheric depth, against which the figures are sketched, giving them an almost ghostly presence. You can see the artist's hand at work in the layering of chalk and graphite, building form and volume with loose, expressive strokes. This emphasis on the material and the process invites us to consider how the artist’s labor, and his skill in manipulating these materials, shapes our experience of the sacred. The drawing has a raw, unfinished quality which reminds us of the hours of work involved in creating an artwork. This contrasts with the polished finesse we often associate with the High Renaissance. By drawing our attention to the materials and methods, Barocci bridges the gap between the artist's studio and the divine narrative.