The Lamentation, Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen, c. 1532 - c. 1535

pen, h 180mm × w 257mm More details

This drawing has all the drama of a medieval passion play. The contrast between the limp, broken body of Christ and the emotional turmoil of the other figures is heart-rending. With its dense parallel and crosshatching, the drawing style lends itself for comparison with Vermeyen’s etchings. The drawing has been squared for transfer (overmarked with a grid), suggesting that it is a design for a painting.