Artwork
The Entombment
The Entombment is an ink print by the Baroque artist Flemish 17th century. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1601 engraving on laid paper depicts the biblical Entombment of Christ, a scene from the Passion narrative.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper left to center left in plate: AD; lower left to lower center in plate: 1507; upper left to center left in plate: SICVT IN ADA OM / NES MORIVNTVR / ITA ET IN CHRISTO / OMNES VIVIFICAB / VNIVR; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: 24 UL-
About this work
Overview
The Entombment is a black-and-white engraving on laid paper, depicting a somber scene of mourning figures surrounding a body on a stone slab, set against a contrasting backdrop of a dimly lit city and a radiant light source.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates a funeral scene, but incorporates symbolic elements, an angel in an upper window, dramatic lighting contrasts, to convey a deeper, more emotionally charged narrative than a straightforward burial representation.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving, the artwork features intricately carved lines on laid paper, characteristic of the traditional technique used to create detailed, high-contrast images during its time.
Context
Created in a period when engraving was a prominent medium for artistic expression, The Entombment reflects the technical proficiency and narrative depth achievable through this printmaking method.
Legacy
While specific influence or widespread recognition of The Entombment is not detailed here, it exemplifies the enduring appeal of engraving as an art form, inviting viewers to explore the technique further.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made detailed drawings of daily life and biblical scenes using chalk, ink, and engraving.
