The Lamentation of Christ

The body of Christ, covered with wounds, lies at the foot of the cross, close to the viewer. Behind him sits the sorrowful Mother of God. John has moved the body into a half-sitting position and is supporting the head, which is leaning sideways. Mary Magdalene tenderly holds Christ’s hand to her cheek. The group is completed by Joseph of Arimathaea, who is holding a vessel of ointment. The composition is alive with powerful creative force. An impressive feature is Christ’s athletic body, bearing all the marks of torture and death. This shows the influence of Matthias Grünewald, who had depicted the tormented savior with ruthless realism a few years before, in the Isenheim altarpiece.| Prestel Museum Guides – Gemäldegalerie Berlin, 2017