Painting of the Month

Dirk Bouts, 'The Entombment', probably 1450s
Special Feature: A Fragile Masterpiece

'The Entombment' shows the crucified body of Christ being placed in a tomb. A male figure, thought to be either Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathaea, gently holds the torso, careful not to touch the body except through the shroud. Christ's mother, Mary, holds his wrist, not touching the wound in his hand, while herself being held up by Saint John the Evangelist.

Bouts painted his 'Entombment' on linen, rather than wooden panel. It seems that the painting was destined for Italy, and could be more easily transported on something that could be rolled or folded up. Few such cloth paintings have survived at all, as they are extremely fragile.

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