Artwork
Dead Christ Supported by an Angel
Dead Christ Supported by an Angel is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Palma il Giovane. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Dead Christ Supported by an Angel is a 1612 painting by Palma il Giovane, a prominent Venetian school artist of the early Baroque period. The work is a religious composition depicting a poignant scene of mourning.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Jesus Christ lying on his back, supported by an angel. Christ's relaxed body, tilted head, and closed eyes convey a sense of serenity in death. The angel's embrace and the somber, dark background underscore the solemnity of the moment.
Technique & Style
Characterized by dramatic lighting from the left, the work exemplifies the Venetian style, with deep shadows and a focus on emotional intensity, traits Palma il Giovane continued from his predecessor Tintoretto.
History & Provenance
Created in 1612, after Tintoretto's passing in 1594, this painting solidified Palma il Giovane's position as Venice's leading artist. It is currently housed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Context
Emerging in the early Baroque period, this piece reflects the artistic transition in Venice, with Palma il Giovane blending traditional Venetian elements with emerging Baroque sensibilities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Iacopo Negretti (1548/50 – 14 October 1628), best known as Jacopo or Giacomo Palma il Giovane or simply Palma Giovane ('Young Palma'), was an Italian painter from Venice and a notable exponent of the Venetian school.
