The Entombment of Christ (ca. 1514–36)
Original title: The Entombment of Christ
kurzbeschreibung
Agostino Veneziano (Agostino dei Musi) made this engraving, dated around 1514–36. It portrays the biblical Entombment of Christ: mourners crowd around the lifeless body. The print measures 10.3 x 14.4 cm and is oriented vertically.
Description
A lifeless body, presumably Christ, lies on a bier or in a coffin, surrounded by figures who carry or examine him. On the left stand a man with a staff and one with a skull on his head; on the right, a man in an apron and a woman with a veil. The garments look traditional, and Christ's face is striking, with dense stubble and a stern expression. The layout is symmetrical, the palette monochrome, and the light evenly distributed through shading and lines.
Context
Agostino Veneziano, an Italian Renaissance engraver, worked in the workshop of Marcantonio Raimondi. The sheet was made in the first half of the 16th century, when printmaking flourished in Italy. The exact date remains uncertain; the range ca. 1514–36 covers the artist's active period. The motif of Christ's entombment was widespread in Renaissance religious art.
Impact
A calm, dignified grief radiates from the print and immediately engages the viewer. The symmetrical arrangement and even light distribution create a solemn, almost meditative mood. Detailed garments and faces give the work a strong sculptural presence, while precise linework contributes to its clear structure.
Technique
In engraving, lines are incised into a copper plate and then transferred to paper with printing ink. Fine hatching and cross-hatching produce tonal values and textures. The precise execution demonstrates the engraver's high craftsmanship.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)