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Study of the Figure and Head of Christ in "Christ on the Cross and Mary Magdalene"

Mosè Bianchi

1879

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Religious

Dominant colour

Study of the Figure and Head of Christ in "Christ on the Cross and Mary Magdalene" is a 1879 graphite by Mosè Bianchi, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Mosè Bianchi
When & what style?: 1879 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

The image depicts a study of a male figure with outstretched arms, possibly representing Christ. The figure is rendered in various shades of gray, with darker tones used for the face and arms. A smaller, separate study of the head is placed to the right of the main figure. The artist's use of graphite, brush, and black wash creates a sense of depth and texture, while the white chalk highlights add a touch of brightness to the overall piece. The coarse gray paper provides a subtle background that allows the figure to take center stage. This piece showcases the artist's skill in capturing the human form, and its use of chiaroscuro techniques creates a sense of drama and emotion. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.