Artwork
Virgin and Saint John Mourning over the Body of Christ, fragment of a Lamentation of Christ
Virgin and Saint John Mourning over the Body of Christ, fragment of a Lamentation of Christ is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of Delft. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This painting is a fragment of a larger work depicting a scene from Christian iconography.
About this work
Overview
This painting is a fragment of a larger work depicting a scene from Christian iconography. It shows two figures mourning over a lifeless body, with a partial representation of a related event in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The figures are identified as the Virgin Mary and Saint John, lamenting the body of Christ. The background scene appears to be the Deposition from the Cross, indicating the fragment's original context within a larger Lamentation of Christ.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by its depiction of half-figures in a somber, introspective scene. The artist's style is not explicitly identified due to the lack of a signature.
History & Provenance
The painting's origins and original composition are unknown. It is now preserved in a collection where similar works can be found, such as at the Rijksmuseum.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Master of Delft (fl c. 1490–1520) was a Dutch painter of the final period of Early Netherlandish painting, whose name is unknown. He may have been born around 1470. The notname was first used in 1913 by Max Jakob…
Portrait of Dirck van Heemskerck van Beest (....-1545) with his sons and St. John the Baptist
The Virgin and St John lamenting over the body of Christ
Triptych with the Virgin and Child and saints (centre panel), the donor with St Martin (inner left wing), the donor’s wife with St Cunera (inner right wing) and the Annunciation (outer wings)
