The Entombment of Christ

The Entombment of Christ, painted by Fra Angelico around 1450, is a masterful example of early Italian Renaissance devotional art. Executed in tempera on a poplar panel, the work showcases the luminous color palette and meticulous detail characteristic of the artist's technique. Tempera, the prevailing medium during the 15th century, involved the precise application of pigments suspended in an egg-yolk binder, resulting in the vibrant, enduring surface qualities seen in this piece.

Belonging to the period between 1401 to 1500, the painting captures the somber moment immediately following the Crucifixion, as Christ's body is carefully prepared for burial. Angelico adheres to traditional iconography, depicting grieving figures surrounding the open sarcophagus, often identified as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus assisting Mary and the mourning disciples. The composition emphasizes profound emotional piety and devotional stillness, reflecting the spiritual intensity of the Dominican order to which the friar-artist belonged. Angelico often merged the emerging humanistic styles of Florence with traditional spiritual narratives, creating art that beautifully bridged the Medieval and Renaissance worlds.

This specific painting, which serves as a vital record of mid-Quattrocento religious sentiment, now resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The delicate handling of light and the solemnity of the subject confirms Angelico’s reputation as a pivotal figure in the history of Italian art. As an older masterwork, the image is frequently part of the public domain, allowing institutions and enthusiasts globally to study and share high-quality prints and reproductions for educational purposes.