The sculptor Donatello was probably the most influential artist of 15th-century Italy. These two paintings by Zoppo and Schiavone adapt his composition with the upright, half-length figure of Christ supported by other figures that express grief.
Carlo Crivelli uses a similar composition and also tries to convey the weight and awkwardness of Christ's body. Where Donatello has drawn attention to the weight of Christ's lolling head, Crivelli's angel holds Christ's lifeless wrist, and we can see how heavy it is in his hand, in 'The Dead Christ supported by two Angels'.
Top: Donatello and workshop 'Dead Christ tended by Angels', about 1435-43 © The Victoria and Albert Museum.
Bottom left: Detail from Marco Zoppo, 'The Dead Christ supported by Saints', about 1465.
Bottom right: Detail from Giorgio Schiavone, 'The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints', 1458-1460.
