Reflective of Raphael’s later drawing style and possibly executed under his direction by Ugo da Carpi, one of his pupils, The Descent from the Cross is seemingly preparatory for a chiaroscuro woodcut (see 2024.26.1) also created by Ugo da Carpi, who was Raphael’s favored xylographer. According to Ugo's earliest biographer, Giorgio Vasari (1511–1574), he was responsible for introducing woodcut to Italian artists. A comparison between the drawing and print shows significant affinities in scale of the figures as well as important variations in the design; the central figure supporting the body of Christ in the drawing was eliminated in the final printed design. The rich overlay of material on the drawing, with abundant passages of ink washes and lead white, anticipates the contrasting tones achieved by Ugo da Carpi in his chiaroscuro woodcuts. (F.R.)