ARTWORKS

The Entombment

Dieric Bouts the elder (c.1415–1475)

The National Gallery, London

The Entombment

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Christ’s body, wrapped in a white shroud, is being placed in a tomb by his grief-stricken family and followers. His mother Mary, clasping his wrist, seems on the edge of collapse; John the Evangelist holds her up. Behind them are Mary’s sisters, one wiping tears from her eyes, the other holding her veil to her mouth. Mary Magdalene supports Christ’s legs and gazes sadly at his face. This is the only surviving image of the Entombment by Bouts, and is a quiet expression of intense emotion.

It is a rare survivor of a once common type, a picture painted on cloth rather than wooden panels. Made in large numbers in the Netherlands in the fifteenth century, few exist today. This one is in remarkably good condition, although the colours would originally have been rather brighter.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

The Entombment

Date

probably 1450s

Medium

Glue tempera on linen

Measurements

H 87.5 x W 73.6 cm

Accession number

NG664

Acquisition method

Bought, 1860

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Dieric Bouts the elder

c.1415–1475

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