On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P06392
- Author
- Jordaens, Jacob (Flemish)
- Title
- Pietà
- Chronology
- 1650-1660
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 221 cm x 169 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COMPRA
- Procedence
- Acquisition. 1981
The Virgin holds Christ's dead body
on her lap and turns an imploring
look towards the heavens. Saint
John, in red, Joseph of Arimathea
and Nicodemus meditate on the event
of which they are the protagonists.
Towards the bottom, Mary Magdalene
removes the Thorns form Christ's
head and Mary Salome kisses his
hand.
This is a work from Jordaens'
mature period, with the long,
watery brushstrokes that
characterize his final paintings.
After making numerous preparatory
drawings for the figures, he
created a pyramidal composition for
the group in the lower part, whose
underlying model is Michelangelo's
Pietà, now at Saint Peter's in the
Vatican. This group is framed by
the standing figures in the upper
part —a solution that was repeated
in other representations of the
same subject by this artist.
This work is from the church of San
Alberto in Seville.
