Artwork
Entombment of Mary
Entombment of Mary is a paint painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Q134489958. It dates from 1350 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
The work titled *Entombment of Mary* is a painted composition that portrays the burial of the Virgin Mary. Figures in varied robes encircle her lying form, some holding objects, others appearing to pray or converse. A gold backdrop frames the scene, while the arrangement of the participants creates a sense of depth that guides the eye toward Mary’s central presence.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures the moment of Mary’s interment, a theme drawn from Christian tradition that emphasizes reverence for the mother of Christ. The surrounding mourners, depicted in diverse attire, suggest a communal participation in the rite, reflecting the collective grief and devotion associated with the sacred event.
Technique & Style
Executed in paint, the piece employs a gold ground that heightens the ceremonial atmosphere. The composition utilizes chiaroscuro to model the figures, producing contrast between illuminated areas and shadowed forms, thereby enhancing the three‑dimensional impression and emotional intensity of the scene.
History & Provenance
No specific details regarding the artist, date of execution, or ownership history are provided for this painting, limiting the ability to trace its provenance or place it within a particular artistic lineage.
Artist & collection
Artist
This painter worked in the decades around 1350, leaving behind large altarpieces meant for churches.
The Entombment
Death of the Virgin
Saint Lawrence, Saint Michael and the Dragon, the Dormitio Virginis and the Martyrdom of Saint Catherine
The Virgin Swooning and the Three Maries at the Tomb of Christ
Entombment
The Dormition of the Virgin
The Lamentation and the Entombment
The Death of the Virgin
Dormition of the Virgin
