Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Alberti Cherubino. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1650 engraving, executed by Alberti Cherubino, depicts a somber scene of three figures supporting a limp body in a rocky landscape, based on a sculptural composition by Michelangelo.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates the Pietà, with the dead Christ supported by the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and a female saint, conveying a sense of weight and emotion through dramatic poses and chiaroscuro.
Technique & Style
The engraving features rough textures in clothing and skin, strong contrasts between light and shadow, and a focus on the central group, characteristic of religious prints from the time, utilizing chiaroscuro to evoke emotional depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1650 by Alberti Cherubino, the print includes an inscription attributing the original design to Michelangelo and noting papal privilege under Gregory XIII.
Context
The work reflects the prevalent use of chiaroscuro in contemporary religious prints to narrate through light and darkness, while also highlighting the influence of Michelangelo's designs on subsequent artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
This Italian printmaker worked in the late 1500s to early 1600s, making black-and-white prints that carry the fine lines and careful shading of the era.
