Artwork
The Passion: The Entombment
The Passion: The Entombment is a print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Entombment is a 1596 print by Hendrick Goltzius, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, depicting a pivotal, somber moment from the Bible: Jesus being laid to rest in a tomb.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a sorrowful biblical scene, leveraging dramatic lighting to heighten emotional impact and draw viewer attention to the central event, evoking a sense of mourning.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employs chiaroscuro, a technique characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark, to create a profound sense of mood. The selective illumination of faces intensifies the emotional depth of the composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1596, the print is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, though specific details of its provenance before acquisition are not provided in the available information.
Context
The Entombment reflects the religious themes prevalent in late 16th-century European art, with Goltzius's use of chiaroscuro aligning with contemporary artistic innovations that emphasized emotional and psychological depth.
Legacy
While specific influences of The Entombment on later works are not detailed here, Goltzius's mastery of chiaroscuro in this piece contributes to the broader legacy of the technique in Western art, influencing subsequent generations of artists in capturing dramatic intensity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
