Artwork
The Entombment
The Entombment is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Battista Angolo del Moro. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1515, this intaglio print depicts the biblical Entombment of Christ.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1515, this intaglio print depicts the biblical Entombment of Christ. Executed on laid paper, the work presents a solemn scene in which the body of Jesus is being lowered into a stone tomb, surrounded by mourners whose faces are illuminated by a muted, uneven light.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures the moment of burial, emphasizing the physical strain of the figure bearing the corpse and the collective grief of the surrounding participants. The subtle illumination highlights the emotional weight of the event, while the presence of cross-shaped motifs at the lower margin serves as a quiet reminder of the crucifixion.
Technique & Style
The image was produced by incising lines into a metal plate, a process known as etching, and includes elements of drypoint that create softer, velvety lines. After the plate was inked, damp laid paper was pressed onto it, transferring the intricate network of lines and tonal variations that define the work’s somber atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Battista Angolo del Moro, the print belongs to the early sixteenth‑century Venetian school, a period when printmaking began to disseminate religious narratives widely. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the piece is representative of del Moro’s output and reflects the broader devotional print market of the era.
Artist & collection
