The Procession to Calvary

A photograph of a drawing now in the Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe degli Uffizi, Florence (inv. no.519E). The drawing reproduces the composition of Raphael’s ‘Procession to the Calvary’, one of the three panels forming the predella of the so-called ‘Colonna Altarpiece’ painted in c.1504-05 for the Nunnery of Sant’Antonio da Padua, Perugia. The panel scene is now in the National Gallery, London (inv. no.NG 2919). The central panel of the altarpiece is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no.32.130.1; see RCIN 850667 for a photograph of the painting).

Showing Christ bearing His cross encircled by soldiers and helped by Simon of Cyrene; on the right are St John and the swooning Virgin being supported by the three Marys; on the left two horsemen.