Lamentation over the Dead Christ with Saints
1495 Museo Poldi Pezzoli
About this artwork
This painting depicts the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist, Mary Magdalene, and other holy figures lamenting over the dead body of Christ. The composition emphasizes the profound grief and suffering of the figures, with a dark, somber background.
Did you know?
Botticelli's 'Lamentation' stands out for its profound emotional intensity, a reflection of the spiritual climate in Florence at the close of the 15th century, influenced by the fervent sermons of Savonarola. The raw grief portrayed by the figures, particularly the swooning Virgin Mary and the despairing Saint John, marks a powerful departure from Botticelli's more idealized earlier works. The inclusion of the instruments of Christ's Passion, like the crown of thorns and nails, held aloft by a figure in the background, serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifice.
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Lamentation over the Dead Christ with Saints
Sandro Botticelli, 1495
