Artwork
The Deposition
The Deposition is an oil painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Bertholet Flémal. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on the moment of mourning and the transition from death to burial, inviting contemplation of the Passion narrative.
The painting depicts the Descent from the Cross, showing Jesus Christ being taken down from the cross after his crucifixion. As the main subject, this biblical episode conveys the sorrow of Christ’s followers and underscores the theological themes of sacrifice and redemption central to Christian art. The work focuses on the moment of mourning and the transition from death to burial, inviting contemplation of the Passion narrative.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting on canvas executed in 1719, measuring 110.8 cm in height and 83.5 cm in width.
Its handling aligns with the Baroque tradition of the Descent from the Cross, employing layered glazes to render luminous flesh tones and drapery folds. The composition centers on the diagonal descent of Christ’s body, stabilized by flanking figures whose robust modeling and chiaroscuro emphasize volume and spatial recession. The palette remains restrained, with deep umbers and crimsons punctuated by cooler accents in the Virgin’s drapery, enhancing the scene’s devotional gravity.
History & Provenance
The Deposition was painted in 1719 by Bertholet Flémal in oil on canvas, depicting the Descent from the Cross. According to the sources, the work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it remains today. No further details about its commission, earlier ownership, or provenance are provided in the available sources.
The Deposition is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it is inventoried as KMSst510. The painting has been exhibited at the Statens Museum for Kunst, as indicated by its presence in the museum’s holdings.
Overview
Bertholet Flémal’s oil on canvas, dated 1719, presents a somber religious tableau now in the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst. The composition centers on the moment of Christ’s removal from the cross, rendered with a restrained palette that emphasizes the gravity of the scene.
Artist & collection
