Christ in the Tomb

Christ in the Tomb is the centre piece of a predella. In Spanish art a predella is the lower section of an altarpiece which is often divided into separate scenes separated by small sculpted columns. It is not yet known which altarpiece this panel belonged to. In depictions of the burial, Christ is usually laid in the tomb by Joseph…

Christ in the Tomb is the centre piece of a predella. In Spanish art a predella is the lower section of an altarpiece which is often divided into separate scenes separated by small sculpted columns. It is not yet known which altarpiece this panel belonged to. In depictions of the burial, Christ is usually laid in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, accompanied by the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene. Here, however, these figures have been replaced with a grieving angel. In this way the artist eliminates the narrative element and gives the scene a more sacral character. The depiction of Christ’s entombment with one or more angels comes from Italy and is related to the theme of the Man of Sorrows. We also see an Italian influence in the landscape which reminds us of Giotto’s work.