The Passion: The Lamentation
1509
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1509
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The Passion: The Lamentation is a 1509 by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a Renaissance work, depicting lamentation of christ, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This painting shows a group of people mourning over Jesus’ body after the crucifixion. Mary holds his head while others kneel close, their faces full of sorrow. A dark sky presses down on the scene, making the grief feel heavier. Cranach often painted religious scenes in bright colors and sharp lines. Here, the figures look almost stiff, but their emotions come through clearly. The artist worked for powerful nobles, so his art had to please the rich as well as teach the faithful. Compare this to Albrecht Dürer’s woodcuts for their similar dramatic mood.
