Artwork
The Entombment of Christ
The Entombment of Christ is a print by Diana Scultori. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The print portrays the biblical scene of Christ’s entombment, arranging five mournful figures around the lifeless body.
About this work
Overview
The print portrays the biblical scene of Christ’s entombment, arranging five mournful figures around the lifeless body. Central to the composition is the Virgin Mary, seated and cradling Jesus’s head and shoulders, while the surrounding characters display varied gestures of sorrow.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of profound loss: Mary’s downcast gaze and clasped hands convey maternal grief; Saint Joseph stands behind her, a silent witness; the Magdalene and Martha flank the scene, each embodying personal devotion and lamentation.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving on paper, the image relies on stark contrasts of light and shadow to model forms and suggest depth. Fine lines render the faces and hands with clarity, while broader, softer shading creates a tenebrous background that isolates the figures.
History & Provenance
The print bears an inscription attributing the design to Michelangelo Buonarroti and the engraving to Diana Mantuana. This collaboration links the work to the circle of artists who reproduced Michelangelo’s compositions for wider circulation in the early modern period.
Context
Entombment scenes were common in devotional art, serving as meditative aids for contemplation of Christ’s sacrifice. By placing the Virgin centrally, the composition emphasizes her role as both mother and intercessor within the narrative.
Artist & collection
