This painting is part of the group: The Santa Croce Altarpiece
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Joseph of Arimathea (?), on the ladder, lowers the dead Christ from the cross. The Virgin, accompanied by the Maries, embraces him. Saint John the Evangelist supports Christ on the right, while Nicodemus (?) removes a nail from his feet. This incident is not described in the Gospels.
This panel formed the fifth of the seven scenes of Christ's Passion in the predella of the high altarpiece of S. Croce, Florence.
The composition is similar to that of the same subject in Duccio's 'Maestà' (Siena, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo).
Other paintings in this group: The Santa Croce Altarpiece
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The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN