Who painted The burial of Christ?

The burial of Christ was painted by Adriaen van der Werff in 1696-01-01.

Where can I see The burial of Christ?

The burial of Christ is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is The burial of Christ?

The burial of Christ is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of The burial of Christ?

Museum-quality prints of The burial of Christ are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The burial of Christ

Adriaen van der Werff , 1698

The burial of Christ is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van der Werff. It dates from 1698 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the physical presence of Jesus Christ being laid to rest, emphasizing the gravity of the event without extraneous narrative elements.

Adriaen van der Werff's 1696 oil painting depicts the Entombment of Christ, a specific episode within the Passion narrative where Jesus's body is prepared for burial. The work functions as religious art, focusing entirely on the main subject of Christ's interment. By portraying this solemn moment, the painting serves as a visual meditation on the death of Jesus, adhering to traditional Christian iconography surrounding the burial rites.

The composition centers on the physical presence of Jesus Christ being laid to rest, emphasizing the gravity of the event without extraneous narrative elements.

Technique & Style

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 102.5 cm in height and 83 cm in width. The work depicts the entombment of Christ with a religious composition rendered in oil paint, reflecting the stylistic qualities of late 17th-century Dutch religious art.

The support is a canvas substrate, and the handling and condition details are not specified in the provided sources. The formal treatment emphasizes naturalistic figuration and chiaroscuro within the religious genre.

History & Provenance

The painting was created in 1696 by Adriaen van der Werff as an oil on canvas work depicting the entombment of Christ. After its completion, it passed through the hands of Adriaen Paets II, Gerard Bicker (II) van Zwieten, and Leendert Dupper before entering the collections of the Rijksmuseum and Our Lord in the Attic Museum, where it is currently housed. No specific commission details are recorded in the available sources.

The painting is currently held by the Rijksmuseum and the Our Lord in the Attic Museum, with the latter serving as its specific location. The work was created by Adriaen van der Werff in 1696. Historically, the piece changed hands among several private owners, including Adriaen Paets II, Gerard Bicker (II) van Zwieten, and Leendert Dupper. No specific inventory numbers or exhibition records are provided in the available sources.

Overview

Adriaen van der Werff’s oil painting The Burial of Christ was completed in 1698. Executed during the Dutch Golden Age, the work portrays the moment when Jesus’ body is laid in the tomb, surrounded by mourners. The canvas is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection in Amsterdam, where it remains on public display.

Context

Although van der Werff is often associated with portraiture and mythological scenes, this religious work aligns with the era’s renewed interest in biblical subjects for private devotion. His brother Pieter, who served as his assistant and pupil, likely contributed to preparatory studies, reflecting the collaborative workshop practices common in the Netherlands at the time.