The Entombment (or Christ being carried to his Tomb)
- Artist: Michelangelo
- Date: about 1500-1
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "The Entombment" painted in the Italian north, specifically by Michelangelo. The painting depicts Christ's body being carried to his tomb, and it's one of only three known surviving panel paintings by Michelangelo. The scene shows Saint John the Evangelist carrying Christ's body on strips of winding cloth, assisted by one of the Three Marys. They're making their way up a staircase to the tomb in the rocks behind them.
The man behind Christ is either Joseph of Arimathea or Nicodemus, and another of the Three Marys sits on the ground. There's an empty space on the right that was probably intended for the kneeling figure of the Virgin Mary.
Michelangelo's approach to painting here reflects his belief in the connection between painting and sculpture. The figures are arranged in a bold rhythmic composition, with little space between them. The focus is on Christ's naked body, which is shown as perfect and beautiful.
The arrangement of the scene is unique for its time - Christ's body is lifted vertically and held up to the viewer, almost like it's the Eucharist. This vertical pose also alludes to Christ's imminent resurrection, making the painting both devotional and narrative at the same time.
Michelangelo painted in oils on wood, a medium that was unusual for him. He worked on each figure in full before moving on to the next, using glazes sparingly and blending his shades into one another while they were still wet. The result is a fascinating insight into Michelangelo's working methods and creative process.
See it in person
The Entombment (or Christ being carried to his Tomb) hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
