On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01642
- Author
- Dyck, Anton van (Flemish)
- Title
- Piet
- Chronology
- 1628-1632
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 201 cm x 171 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Christ appears dead, on his own
shroud. He is held by his mother,
who looks imploringly at Heaven.
Mary Magdalene kisses his hand
while Saint John contemplates the
scene from farther back in the
composition. In the foreground, in
front of the sepulcher, the Crown,
Nails and sign in Hebrew, Greek and
Latin recall the Crucifixion.
Jesus's posture on Mary's knees and
the dramatic nature of this work
link it to the Medieval Germanic
tradition. It is directly based on
an engraving by Goltzius but is
also considerably influenced by
Rubens, although the great dramatic
intensity and pathos of its
characters belong to religious
works from Van Dyck's mature
period.
This work entered the Museum from
the Monastery of El Escorial, where
it was first documented in 1657.
Location on the map
