Artwork

The Dead Body of Christ

The Dead Body of Christ, by Martial Desbois, ink, 1690
The Dead Body of Christ, by Martial Desbois, ink, 1690

The Dead Body of Christ is an ink print by the Baroque artist Martial Desbois. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Dead Body of Christ is a print created by Martial Desbois around 1690 using the mezzotint technique on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the lifeless body of Christ, reclining on a cloth, with a crown of thorns nearby. His pose, with head on arm and hand near stomach, conveys a sense of stillness.

Technique & Style

Desbois's use of mezzotint achieves a high level of detail, particularly in the rendering of Christ's muscles and facial features. The dark background and chiaroscuro technique create a dramatic effect, drawing attention to the figure.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.