Lamentation over the Body of Christ

The Three Marys mourn Christ after his crucifixion. The Virgin Mary kneels at Christ’s feet, her outstretched arms framed by her dark mantle. Christ’s crown of thorns lies on the ground, and beside it are the dice thrown by the soldiers who gambled for his clothes. Mary Magdalene kneels by Christ’s head, her arms raised. Mary Cleophas stands behind her clutching her head and tearing her hair with grief. The demonstrative gestures, distorted anatomy and colour contrasts are typical of Dosso’s early work.

In the distance, three crosses stand on the summit of Calvary against the sky. The cross on the left seems to have been Christ’s as the bodies of the two thieves still hang on the other crosses. The way that the figures on the hill behind the Virgin are merely suggested is a remarkable example of Dosso’s dramatic handling of paint, and adds to the expressiveness of the grieving figures.

Text: © The National Gallery, London

Painting photographed in its frame by Google Arts & Culture, 2023.