The Dead Christ Mourned by Saint Mary Magdalen (recto); The Holy Family with an Attendant (verso)

Art Historical Context

Giuseppe Cades, an Italian artist active in late 18th-century Rome, created this intimate double-sided drawing between 1778 and 1787. On the recto, pen and brown ink vividly captures *The Dead Christ Mourn by Saint Mary Magdalen portraying the biblical moment of profound grief as Mary Magdalene cradles the lifeless body of Jesus, a poignant Pietà-like scene emphasizing themes of death and devotion. Flipped over, the verso in black chalk reveals *The Holy Family with anendant*, offering a tender domestic vision of Mary, Joseph, the Christ child, and a servant, highlighting familial piety central to Christian iconography. Cades, influenced by neoclassical ideals and Renaissance masters like Raphael, employed these media for expressive preparatory studies, where the fluid lines of brown ink convey emotional intensity on the front, while the softer black chalk on the back builds subtle modeling and warmth. Such versatile sheets were typical of artists' sketchbooks, blending religious narrative with technical experimentation. Acquired as a gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1887, this 5 3/16 x 6 5/16-inch work exemplifies the refined draftsmanship of the period, inviting visitors to appreciate its dual storytelling and the artist's masterful handling of light, shadow, and sentiment.