Barocci's The Entombment of Christ, (1579-82) was made as an altarpiece for a church of the Marchigian seaside town of Senigallia, Italy and has never before left Italy before the Barocci: Brilliance and Grace exhibition at the National Gallery, London.
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| Image of Church of the Cross, Senigallia by http://www.juzaphoto.com |
The picture shows the crucified Christ being carried by St. John the Evangelist, Nicodemus, and Joseph. The Virgin Mary watches sorrowfully in the background physically showing the weight she is bearing for losing her child. Mary Magdalene kneels in prayer in the foreground next to three blooded nails and the recently worn crown of thorns. Christ's sarcophagus is being cleaned, in preparation for him. Barocci depicts life even in death using colour and movement with the main message being there is no suffering in death.
Barocci captured the strain of carrying Christ's body and the movement by the fluttering of the clothes worn, particularly by St John, and the white tissue in the background.
Barocci's reputation was founded on his altar pieces, commissioned for churches around the town of Urbino, where he was born, and also in Rome.
Barocci, a victim of his own success
25 years after its completion Barocci was forced to repair the altarpiece due to it being ruined by other artists tracing the outlines to make copies for themselves.You may like:
Federico Barocci - The Madonna of the Cat
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