The Entombment

The Entombment by the Workshop of Andrea Mantegna Italian, 1431-1506, is a masterwork of Italian Renaissance printmaking, executed as an engraving on paper between 1485 and 1490. This profound religious subject was a characteristic focus for the Mantegna circle, reflecting the master’s intense interest in classical antiquity and dramatic humanism. As a print, the work demonstrates the meticulous technical skill required for engraving, allowing the workshop to disseminate detailed compositions based on Mantegna’s celebrated drawings to patrons across Italy and beyond.

The composition depicts the poignant moment Christ’s body is lowered into the stone sarcophagus, framed by figures consumed by grief. The scene includes the Virgin Mary collapsing in sorrow and other mourning apostles, rendered with the sharply defined, almost sculptural quality typical of Mantegna’s classicizing style. The use of dramatic linear perspective lends monumentality to the figures and the rocky setting.

Such devotional prints were vital during the late 15th century, providing accessible, reproducible imagery that fueled private religious contemplation. While the specific authorship lies with the workshop, the dramatic intensity and technical expertise suggest the direct influence of Mantegna. Today, this impression of The Entombment is preserved within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it offers critical insight into the visual culture and artistic dissemination methods of Renaissance Italy. This significant artwork, now often accessible through public domain initiatives, remains a key reference for studying the development of early printmaking.