Artwork
Cycle of Passion: The Entombment
Cycle of Passion: The Entombment is a paint painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1538 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1538, this oil painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder portrays a moment from the Passion of Christ, specifically the entombment. The work is part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin and exemplifies the artist’s engagement with biblical narratives during the Reformation era.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a lifeless figure, presumed to be Jesus, laid upon a white shroud. A woman in a red garment rests his head on her lap, while another in blue supports his legs. Their tender gestures and the mournful expressions of the surrounding figures convey grief and reverence for the crucified savior.
Technique & Style
Cranach employs a restrained palette, contrasting the dark, almost void-like background with the illuminated figures. The rendering of fabrics—rich reds and blues—demonstrates his skill in depicting texture, while the chiaroscuro modeling gives the central body a three‑dimensional presence against the somber setting.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in German collections since its creation, eventually entering the Gemäldegalerie’s holdings. Its provenance reflects the work’s continued relevance to both religious and art‑historical scholarship within the region.
Context
Produced during a period of intense religious upheaval, the work aligns with Cranach’s role as a court painter to the Electors of Saxony, who were prominent supporters of Martin Luther. The entombment theme resonated with contemporary Protestant emphasis on Christ’s humanity and sacrifice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
