Artwork

Studies for Christ Meeting His Mother on the Road to Calvary, Studies of an Angel in a Pendentive (verso)

Studies for Christ Meeting His Mother on the Road to Calvary, Studies of an Angel in a Pendentive (verso) is a drawing by the Renaissance artist Cristoforo Roncalli. It dates from 1602 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This drawing is a preparatory study for a mosaic decoration in the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, featuring an angel and a scene of Christ meeting his mother.

Subject & Meaning

The recto and verso of the sheet contain two distinct subjects: Christ meeting his mother on the road to Calvary and an angel in a pendentive, a trapezoidal space where the dome meets its supporting arches.

Technique & Style

The drawing showcases the artist's practice in rendering foreshortened human forms, demonstrating skill in depicting complex poses and perspectives.

History & Provenance

The drawing was created by Cristoforo Roncalli as a preparatory work for a mosaic decoration commissioned by Pope Clement VIII in 1597, following the completion of Saint Peter's Basilica dome in 1590.

Context

Roncalli's work was influenced by his Florentine training, a background he shared with Michelangelo, whose design for the dome he was helping to decorate.