Sunday, December 5, 2010

Lamentation over the Dead Christ, Mantegna


I find this painting extremely impressive. The foreshortening taking place is incredible. Jesus' body is still quite realistic and I really appreciate the evidenced crucifixion marks on his hands and feet. The color of his skin definitely delivers the point that he is dead. I think it is an especially poignant touch to add the dim, but still evident, halo above his head. It is hopeful that it still shines above His dead body, almost as a foreshadowing that he will come again and it will grow ever brighter. Even more stirring than that are the faces to the left that, though barely shown, convey the absolute sorrow of this occasion. 

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