Entombment (19th century)
Original title: Entombment
kurzbeschreibung
This etching, titled Grablegung (Entombment), is by an anonymous German artist of the 19th century. It portrays the mourning and burial of the dead Christ. The print measures 27 x 19.8 cm and is executed in etching.
Description
Christ's body lies on a table, surrounded by grieving women and men dressed in historicizing garments. To the left, an angel stands holding a lantern. Another figure appears on a shield bearing the inscription 'SIVE IN ADIUS VITAM'. The layout is symmetrical, with figures arranged around the table. A landscape with trees and a village closes off the background.
Context
Created in 19th-century Germany, the work remains anonymous. The entombment of Christ is a central motif in Christian iconography, frequently treated in art history. The contemporary clothing of the figures points to a historicizing interpretation of the theme.
Impact
The fine lines and monochrome gray palette create a solemn, devotional mood. The symmetrical arrangement of the figures and the calm landscape behind them lend the scene a ceremonial stillness.
Technique
The etching reveals its technique through delicate lines and soft shading that model both figures and landscape. The monochrome tonality in grays is typical of this printmaking method. The sheet shows signs of aging, such as borders and surface color loss.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)