The Body of Christ Supported by Angels

The Body of Christ Supported by Angels

Hendrik Goltzius

1587

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a dramatic scene of a dead body being held up by two figures with wings. One angel stands behind the body, lifting it from behind, while another small winged figure kneels at the feet, looking down. The body is wrapped in a cloth, and the angels have serious, focused expressions. In the background, a rocky landscape and a few other small figures add depth. The artist used deep shadows and sharp lines to create a sense of weight and emotion. This is an engraving, meaning it was etched into a metal plate and then printed. The texture of the lines gives it a detailed, almost sculptural look. Next, check out the technique: engraving to see how artists like this one made their prints.

More by Hendrik Goltzius

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app