Christ Fallen on the Cross

Alvise dal Friso

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of intertwined figures engaged in a battle or struggle. The drawing is executed in rapid, expressive pen and ink lines, depicting groups of figures in motion, some carrying weapons like swords or spears. These figures are densely packed, creating a sense of turmoil and frenetic energy. On the left side, a figure is stretched horizontally on the ground beneath others in movement. On the right side, the composition continues with a tangle of figures in a similar chaotic arrangement. The use of lines and hatching suggests movement and aggression, creating a dramatic composition with a raw, unfinished quality.