Andrea Mantegna

Andrea Mantegna

"Foreshortened Christ"

Tempura on canvas

2' 2 3/4" x 2' 7 7/8"

1500

Biography:

Andrea Mantegna was born in 1431. He experimented with perspective, he had a sculptural way of painting. He was trained in Painting, and Fresco. He was involved in the Italian Renaissance and is known for "Agony in the Garden" "The Ascension, " and the piece I'm presenting, "Foreshortened Christ," (more popularly know as "Dead Christ.") He was appointed court artist to "Ludovico II Gonzaga." The Pope even called him in 1488 to paint fresco's in the chapel in the Vatican. Mantegna's son died and this left the artist irritable and upset. His own health was declining but he continued working until his death in "Mantua," in September 13, 1506. 

Artist's Statement:

"The work of "Dead Christ," but recorded as "Foreshortened Christ," is said to be, another example of the artist's mastery of perspective." 

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.454) 

Background Information:

This painting is popularly known as the "Dead Christ." He presented a very realistic study of the extremely short body, and he still was representing a very important biblical moment. He put deep religious emotion into this while still making the painting look corrosive with harder edges to get that harsh appeal. 

Connection:

This piece connects to my theme of Death and Despair because of the way he captured Christ's physical state. Even the godliest, perfect people can and will die. The corrosive colors and the marks upon his hands and feet represent the ultimate sacrifice, and the pain and suffering he went through. The death of an influential person, Christ. The death of Christ has been depicted so many ways and I felt that Andrea's take on the piece was very appropriate and emotional, it was realistic of a historical death, while still being respectful to the religious biblical part of the history.