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Christ Carried to the Tomb
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Christ Carried to the Tomb late 1550s

On Display Scottish National Gallery

Tintoretto's painting was made for the altar of the Dal Basso family chapel in the Venetian church of San Francesco della Vigna. Prints of the altarpiece record its original appearance before it was cut from its frame. It was taller and arched in shape, with a flying angel at the top holding a crown of thorns. The angel's feet are just visible at the top of the canvas. Below Christ's elongated body in the centre is that of his swooning grief-stricken mother. The painted flickering torch light heightens the mood of despair.

Glossary Open

Altarpiece

An artwork behind a church altar featuring religious scenes or imagery which was usually the focus for the celebration of the Mass.

Foreshortening

The correct representation in perspective of an object or figure relative to its distance from the eye.

Altarpiece, Foreshortening

Details

  • Acc. No. NG 2419
  • Medium Oil on canvas
  • Size 164.00 x 127.50 cm (framed: 201.20 x 164.50 x 11.20 cm)
  • Credit Purchased by Private Treaty with the aid of the National Heritage Memorial Fund 1984

See related artworks

Located In See floorplan

National Gallery ground level
  • Gallery / Ground level / I