Who painted Entombment?

Entombment was painted by Adriaen van der Werff in 1703.

Where can I see Entombment?

Entombment is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Entombment?

Entombment is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Entombment?

Museum-quality prints of Entombment are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Entombment

Adriaen van der Werff , 1703

Entombment is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Adriaen van der Werff. It dates from 1703 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Adriaen van der Werff’s oil painting *Entombment*, executed in 1703, portrays the biblical moment of Christ’s burial. The work is part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and exemplifies the artist’s mature phase within the Rococo period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a lifeless figure, presumed to be Christ, laid upon a shroud while four attendants in contemporary robes observe the scene. One figure gently grasps the arm of the central body, another holds a cloth, and the remaining two stand in contrasting dark and light garments, emphasizing the solemnity of the burial rite.

Technique & Style

Van der Werff employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the illuminated flesh of the central figure to appear smooth and almost luminous against a deep, shadowed background. The dramatic contrast between light and darkness directs the viewer’s attention to the reclining form, while the surrounding figures are rendered with careful modeling that enhances their emotional tension.

History & Provenance

The Dutch painter, noted for portraiture, devotional subjects, and mythological scenes, created *Entombment* during a prolific period that also saw commissions for the Medici family. His brother Pieter, who served as his assistant and pupil, contributed to his workshop’s output. The painting entered the Hermitage’s holdings in the 18th century, where it remains on display.

Context

Although associated with the Rococo’s decorative elegance, *Entombment* reflects the period’s interest in theatrical lighting and emotive expression. Van der Werff’s handling of religious narrative aligns with contemporary Dutch approaches that combined refined surface treatment with a heightened sense of drama, situating the work within broader European trends of the early 1700s.