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Christ falling on the road to Calvary, from two plates

ca 1560–73 (re-published 1584)
Not on view
The large etching that is printed from two plates depicts the different stages of Christ’s procession to Calvary. He falls in the center under the weight of the cross. At left Saint Veronica who approaches Christ to wipe his face, leads a group of women including the Virgin. Above preparations are underway to raise the crosses. Large sixteenth century prints are often trimmed on all sides. In this case the margins are intact and along the left side we see the Fontana testing his tools through laying down lines (parallel and crosshatched) and even including a small engraved head in the upper left, a wonderful demonstration of working process. The print is dedicated to the Prior of the church of the Trinità in Venice, Pierto Lippomani.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Christ falling on the road to Calvary, from two plates
  • Artist: Giovanni Battista Fontana (Italian, ca. 1524–1587)
  • Artist: After Domenico Campagnola (Italian, Venice (?) 1500–1564 Padua)
  • Publisher: Domenico Zenoi (Italian, active Venice and Padua, 1559–74)
  • Publisher: Giovanni Battista di Lazzaro Panzera da Parma (Italian, born 1541, active Rome 1577–98)
  • Date: ca 1560–73 (re-published 1584)
  • Medium: Etching and engraving
  • Dimensions: Height: 16 1/8 in. (41 cm)
    Width: 26 3/16 in. (66.5 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2019
  • Object Number: 2019.384.1, .2
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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