Graflegging van Christus

The Graflegging van Christus (The Entombment of Christ) is a powerful print created by the Italian Renaissance master Andrea Mantegna between 1460 and 1470. Executed on paper, this work showcases Mantegna’s profound mastery of classical antiquity and dramatic perspective, characteristic of his Paduan training during the Quattrocento.

Classified as a fine art print, the work displays the artist’s sharp, linear style and his keen interest in monumental figures and deeply receding space. Mantegna often utilized dramatic foreshortening and stark emotional intensity in his depictions of Christian narratives, a technique that profoundly influenced later generations of Italian artists. The composition emphasizes the weighty grief surrounding the deposition, contrasting the angular solidity of the mourners with the vulnerable body of Christ, a subject frequently revisited by Renaissance masters. The density of line work typical of early graphic arts highlights the texture and emotional weight of the scene.

As a pivotal figure of the Early Renaissance, Mantegna’s detailed prints were crucial in disseminating his artistic ideas across Europe, providing models for other workshops and artists who had limited access to his monumental frescoes. This particular piece is a highly significant example of fifteenth-century Italian graphic art. The piece is housed within the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum, contributing to their vast holdings of historic European prints. Because of its age and immense cultural importance, high-quality images of this Mantegna work are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring accessibility for scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.