Who painted The Lamentation?

The Lamentation was painted by German 15th Century in 1485.

Where can I see The Lamentation?

The Lamentation is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Lamentation?

The Lamentation is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Lamentation

German 15th Century , 1485

The Lamentation is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1485 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work titled *The Lamentation* is a hand‑colored woodcut print. Executed on a dark brown block, the image is overlaid with vivid pigments—red lake, blue, green, yellow, tan, gold and orange—applied manually after printing, giving each impression subtle variations.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts the moment after Christ’s removal from the cross. Figures gather around his lifeless body; the Virgin Mary cradles his head while mourners lean in, their gestures conveying collective grief and devotion.

Technique & Style

The artist carved the design into a wood block, inked it, and transferred the image onto paper, a process typical of woodcut printing. After the initial impression, the print was hand‑colored, a labor‑intensive method that allows bright, saturated hues—particularly the striking red lake—to stand out against the somber background.

History & Provenance

The piece is known as a print rather than a painting, situating it within the tradition of early modern woodcut production. Specific details of its creation date, workshop, or ownership history are not provided in the source material.

Context

Hand‑colored woodcuts were common in devotional art, offering affordable yet visually rich images for private contemplation. The use of multiple pigments reflects a practice aimed at enhancing narrative impact while retaining the reproducibility of print media.