The crucified Christ

1473 - 1517

Fra Bartolomeo treats the crucifixion less like a solemn religious icon and more like a masterclass in human anatomy. The figure is rendered in vibrant red chalk, showcasing rippling muscles and a heroic physique that feels very High Renaissance. If you look closely at the background, you can see faint grid lines—this was the artist's cheat sheet for scaling up the sketch to a massive fresco or painting. The ghostly, scribbled outlines around the legs show he was still experimenting with the drapery, reminding us that even great masters started with messy rough drafts.

Technique: Red chalk
Material: Paper

Related Artworks

The Lying In State And Ascension Of Saint Anthonius Fra Bartolomeo
Holy Family with St John Fra Bartolomeo between circa 1515 and circa 1520
Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist Fra Bartolomeo ca. 1497
The Madonna and Child Fra Bartolomeo
One Angel Blowing a Trumpet, and Another Holding a Standard Fra Bartolomeo c. 1500
Holy Family Fra Bartolomeo circa 1497
Three Studies of Trees Fra Bartolomeo 1508
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt with Saint John the Baptist Fra Bartolomeo 1509
The Nativity Fra Bartolomeo 1504
Saint Jerome in Penitence Lucas Cranach the Elder 1509
Clemente IV hands his insigna to the captains of the Guelph Part Giorgio Vasari 1563 - 1565
Figure Studies; Warrior on Horseback, and Groups of Standing Female Figures Francesco Curia 1565[-]1608
Portrait of a Man in Front of a Rose Hedge Hans Baldung 1512-1513
The Crucifixion Lucas Cranach the Elder 1506 - 1520
Saint Christopher Domenico Campagnola 1520[-]1525
Saint Catherine of Siena Giovanni di Pietro 1510-15
Kopf einer jungen Frau mit gesenktem Blick Hans Baldung 1513-15
Portrait of St. Bridget of Sweden Lucas Cranach the Elder
Saint Mary Magdalene, with an Angel Pietro Lorenzetti probably 1340
Adoration of the Magi Sandro Botticelli ca. 1476
The Deposition (verso) Christian Wink second half 18th century
Kristi hudflettelse Jacopo Palma il Giovane
The Flagellation of Christ Bernardo Cavallino 17th century
The Penitent Thief on the Cross Battista Franco 1510-61
The Prodigal Son Albrecht Dürer c. 1496
Christ Carrying the Cross Cesare Rossetti 1580-1600
Head of a woman Ernst Deger 1860-1867
The Dead Christ Albrecht Dürer 1505