The Dead Christ with Angels

This is the lunette, or upper panel, of an altarpiece for the chapel of the Visitation in S. Andrea in Vineis, Faenza. The dead Christ sits on the lid of his stone tomb supported by two angels. The lid is placed obliquely so that it appears to project into our space, as do Christ’s legs. Zaganelli has painted Christ’s body as if in our space to emphasise that it is the origin of the Host (consecrated bread) that would be placed on the altar below the painting during the sacrament of the Eucharist.

The crucified Christ rising from the tomb in the lunette shows the destiny accepted by Christ at his baptism, which is depicted in the main panel of the altarpiece. Saint John the Baptist holds a reed cross which bears a scroll inscribed ‘Ecce Agnus Dei’ (‘Behold the Lamb of God’). This refers to Christ, who will be sacrificed like a lamb for the salvation of humanity.

Text: © The National Gallery, London