Death of Ananias - Ugo da Carpi

A chiaroscuro woodcut by Ugo da Carpi, based on a design by Raphael, depicting the biblical scene of the death of Ananias.

This chiaroscuro woodcut by Ugo da Carpi depicts the biblical account of the death of Ananias, a narrative drawn from the Acts of the Apostles. The composition is based on a design by Raphael, demonstrating the collaborative nature of printmaking during the Italian Renaissance. Ugo da Carpi was a pioneer in the development of the chiaroscuro woodcut technique in Italy, which utilised multiple woodblocks to create tonal variations and a sense of volume that mimicked the appearance of wash drawings. The scene is organised with a clear central focus, showing the fallen Ananias in the foreground while the apostles stand on a raised platform behind him. The figures are rendered with expressive gestures, typical of the High Renaissance style. The use of light and shadow, achieved through the layering of different woodblocks, defines the drapery of the garments and the architectural elements of the background. By employing a limited palette of ochre and brown tones, the artist achieves a sculptural quality that directs the viewer's attention to the dramatic tension of the moment. Ugo da Carpi sought to translate the painterly qualities of Raphael's work into the medium of the woodcut, a process that required precise alignment of the blocks. This print reflects the technical experimentation of the early sixteenth century, where artists explored how mechanical reproduction could disseminate complex compositions to a wider audience. The work remains a primary example of how printmakers adapted the monumental style of Roman painting for the printed page, maintaining the narrative clarity and emotional weight of the original design while introducing the specific aesthetic possibilities of the woodcut medium.