# Studies for the Descent from the Cross \(recto\) [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [MICHELANGELO Buonarroti]() - Date: 1501-1550 - Technique: Red chalk over drawing in stylus, 271 x 191 mm ## Commentary The scene of the Descent from the Cross is depicted in the central study with utmost care and prudence. In this scene five men are taking the body of Christ down from the Cross. On the left, various figures are supporting the Mother of God, who has fainted and collapsed, while two figures looking up at Christ are visible on the right. The other studies on the sheet are variations on the motifs in the central scene. The present studies were created in preparation for a final compositional drawing, now lost, but documented by reliefs in various materials. A beautiful version is the Descent from the Cross <a onclick="return OpenOther\('/html/v/vos\_j/descent.html'\)" href="/html/v/vos\_j/descent.html">in silver by Jan de Vos.</a> On the verso of the sheet five head studies and a female figure leaning forward are visible. ## Related artworks - [A Man Lifting a Boar onto his Shoulder \(verso\)]() - [Abraham - Isaac - Jacob - Judah]() - [Achim - Eliud \(detail\)]() - [Achim - Eliud \(detail\)]() - [Achim - Eliud]() - [Aeneas with a Boy \(recto\)]() - [Allegorical figure]() - [Amminadab \(detail\)]() - [Amminadab \(detail\)]() - [Amminadab]() - [Ancestors of Christ: figures \(detail\)]() - [Ancestors of Christ: figures \(detail\)]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()