Analysis of an Artwork ‘The Entombment of Christ’ by Caravaggio

In this essay I have chosen to research ‘The Entombment of Christ’ by Caravaggio. One of the reasons for choosing this artwork is due to the religious aspect attached to it. With my Liberal Arts degree my main subject of study is Religious Studies therefore this piece of art by Caravaggio really appealed to me. Of course, I have also chosen to research The Entombment of Christ as I find it to be a truly beautiful and superior piece of art in which you cannot fault the artist at all.

This particular piece of artwork - ‘The Entombment of Christ’- was created by the famous artist Caravaggio born 1571 in Italy. He researched the Holy Scripture to display the biblical stories in his artwork as close to the Bible as possible. The famous painting ‘The Entombment of Christ’ was created in the year 1603-1604. The painting’s medium is an oil on canvas and was painted during the Baroque period of art. Painted for the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, Rome, which was built for the congregation of priests founded in 1561 and was considered to be Caravaggio’s finest work of religious art. The dimensions of the painting are 300 cm x 203 cm (120 x 80in). His painting consists of six people from which we can see Christ’s dead body being held. The figures in the painting supporting Christ are known to be John the Evangelist or possibly Joseph of Arimathea (in the red cloak), Saint Nicodemus is also present in the painting alongside the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene and Mary of Clopas. The five figures are standing on a flat stone which many believe is the lid of the tomb in which Jesus was placed, therefore we can see Caravaggio capturing the moment in which the two men are lowering Jesus into the tomb whilst the women look on in sadness and despair from behind.

From the Baroque period we can see a use of exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail which produces drama, tension etc. really gravitating us towards the painting, making us intrigued to know the message behind the artist’s work. Caravaggio’s paintings were of the naturalism style. His work displayed a remarkable use of light, particularly in this piece of art the light is harsh and glaring making Jesus appear to be the torture victim that he is portrayed to be. The light in Caravaggio’s paintings really make the whole scene stand out, it makes the painting seem so realistic almost as though it was a real-life picture being taken. The dramatic lighting is emphasised on Mary Magdalene who has her hands raised and appears to be looking up, perhaps to heaven. The light then darkens until we reach the body of Jesus in which we see it then dramatically brightens, and it appears almost as a spotlight on Christ. It is important to note that there is no background in the painting, perhaps this is to really emphasise what is happening within the painting and to thoroughly enhance the figures present. The centre of the painting and the main focus is that of the lifeless Jesus Christ. The use of colours by Caravaggio does not go unnoticed, the lips of Christ display a bluey grey cast and his skin is pale indicating that he is already dead. The red cloak worn by Joseph and the colour blue worn by the Virgin Mary to help us recognise who is present.

We can see a diagonal pattern of form within this piece by the way the figures have been placed. Visual-arts-cork states ‘from the hysterical hands of Mary Clopas (top right), down through Mary Magdalene's sagging shoulder, Nicodemus's elbow and Christ's torso, to the end of the white shroud (bottom left).’ We can see tension being added through the fan-shaped pattern of the painting. It adds movement to the freezeframe captured by Caravaggio. We experience a range of different emotions as we move down through the image, particularly as we reach both Mary’s who are bent over in grief. In the bottom left of the painting we can see a small plant known as ‘Verbascum thapus’ or what is now known as ‘mullein’. This has been known to possess medicinal properties and to drive out evil spirits, symbolising the coming resurrection and triumph over death. Caravaggio also includes this in some of his other famous paintings such as John the Baptist. Although a small detail I think it is really fitting and further helps to set the scene for the audience when they look at the painting. it is making clear that this really is Christ our saviour who suffered for us and we hold onto that belief that he will come again. By looking at the painting I see the texture as being quite coarse, the brush work is impeccable, particularly in fine details such as the wrinkles on the forehead of Joseph or the veins in Jesus’ arm. The fine detailing by Caravaggio really portrays Jesus as though he suffered which again makes the painting look so real.

Like I mentioned in the beginning of my essay, there is a big religious aspect around this painting by Caravaggio which is why it fascinated me the most. Due to this religious aspect, it would have been a very relevant piece of art during the 17th century. However, in my opinion I believe it is still a very relevant piece of art in today’s society. Religion although growing increasingly secular continues to be the core of many people’s lives today. This painting by Caravaggio reminds us of the importance of our faith and although the artwork possesses a time of sadness it reminds us of the miraculous event that takes place in the tomb when Jesus is resurrected.

What really stands out for me when I look at the painting is the deepened sadness and sorrow portrayed on the figures faces. Caravaggio is capturing those closest to Christ in their premature grief and when they are at their most vulnerable. Emotionally this picture really speaks to me. When thinking of grieving I have experienced due to the loss of a loved one I find myself relating to the feelings of the figures supporting Jesus’ dead body. At first glance of the painting, you develop a real sympathetic attitude for the mourners around him. It is so clear to see the suffering that Jesus went through, and it really puts it into perspective for us all, it can be easy to read of a page what had happened but to actually see the events in such a realistic aspect is heart wrenching and eye watering. The frail tortured body of Christ who looks weak and limp; his suffering has now ended but it is those around him, those that love him the most who are now suffering.

I did notice a few typicalities within the painting. For example, the Virgin Mary wearing blue. It can be argued that she did not actually wear the colour blue and this was just a presumed characteristic that people associated with her, as it can be argued that it was unusual for her to be wearing this colour at this time. Similarly, the appearance of Jesus appears to be quite typical. But then again this is really the only image I have associated Mary and Jesus and all those at this time to have looked like therefore Caravaggio may have been influenced by other artists within the religious genre at this time.

To conclude, although you could sit and talk about this flawless piece of work by Caravaggio’ for hours, I am going to finish on the legacy and achievement that has been left from this painting. Caravaggio himself has been viewed as one of the most ‘strikingly modern of the Great Masters’. He has been influential in various other ways for example British filmmaker Derek Jarman made a critically applauded biopic entitled ‘Caravaggio in 1986’ aswell as several poems written by Thom Gunn in response to Caravaggio’s paintings. Caravaggio’s use of light which although was frowned upon and viewed as rather unpopular during that time has since went on and influenced many other artists. His painting ‘The Entombment of Christ’ has been universally admired and written about by various critics. I think this painting is simply astonishing and breath-taking. Caravaggio’s raw talent is evident within this painting and it displays a truly moving image reminding us of the one and only Christ who suffered and died for us who then rose from the dead and who will come again. I really enjoyed researching this piece of art by Caravaggio and it has made me want to go now and take a look at his other pieces of art and who knows maybe one day I will have the chance to actually go and visit one of his pieces.