RAFFAELLO Sanzio
(b. 1483, Urbino, d. 1520, Roma)

Christ Blessing (Pax Vobiscum)

1505-06
Oil on panel, 32 x 25 cm
Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo, Brescia

Leonardo's influence is particularly strong in the Blessing Christ in Brescia. Here Christ is shown emerging from the tomb. He is no longer an object of compassion, as in 14th and 15th century panels. Rather, he is depicted as the Resurrected Christ; he still bears the symbols of the Passion, the crown of thorns and the marks of the nails which bound his hands and feet to the Cross. Every element of the artist's experience with Perugino has by now been abandoned. The figure displays a smoothness of surface and a soft chiaroscuro modelling which clearly surpass the abilities of Raphael's master.