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Francesco Francia, 'The Lamentation over the Dead Christ', about 1515-16

About the work

Overview

After being taken down from the Cross, Christ’s body is laid outside the cave in which he will be entombed. Nicodemus or Saint Joseph of Arimathea kneels with his hands clasped in prayer while Saint John the Evangelist supports the body of the dead Christ. The Virgin Mary stands in a gesture of sorrow and Mary Magdalene holds Christ’s feet. Francia has devoted particular attention to the depiction of minute details, such as the figures' eyes, which are red with weeping, and the wounds on Christ’s forehead, caused by the crown of thorns he was made to wear when humiliated and crucified.

Francia painted the Lamentation on several occasions in different formats from predella panels to large altarpieces. It is possible that this painting was once a predella panel. The predella was the lowest part of a multi-panelled altarpiece (known as a polyptych) and would have been at eye-level when a worshipper was kneeling in prayer before the altar.

Key facts

Details

Full title
The Lamentation over the Dead Christ
Artist dates
about 1447 - 1517
Date made
about 1515-16
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
30.5 × 34.3 cm
Acquisition credit
Salting Bequest, 1910
Inventory number
NG2671
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection
Previous owners
Frame
20th-century Replica Frame

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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