The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-29
2.

G'-LhF IN ION bMhNTs
II was in the middle of the fifteenth CEN
tury that they began to carve in France
this species Of pathetic subjects taken
from The Passion Of Our Lord. IL seems
that artists were then inspired by the per
formance Of the Mystery Of the Passion.
in which the scene of the EntOmbment
belonged purely TO decorative art.
The scenes Of the Passion and the Death
Of oar Lord executed in the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries would be in that case
tho representation in stone Of living scenes
which the artists had looked upon in the
Mysteries that were performed frequently.
The Biron "Entombmeut" consists Of
seven persons who surround the dead
Christ. The Virgin i'm nuns garb forms
the centre Of the composition; she is between
twoShoiy ONE who support her. She is
standing. her head slightly bent. her eyes
Iartlv closed. gazing az the body Of her
Son; her arms droop before her, her hands
are folded, The two holy women. dressed
like the Holy Virgin, also look on the body
81 our Lord with deep grief.
On h right 81. Mary Magdalen is seen,
her hnir in hraihs. holding q vase of uint-
mcnt; her head is bent a little to the left;
she il dressed like a lady OF condition Of
the period. ST. John, near the head of the
Christ. holds the crown of thorns in both
hands and holds his head forward with
his eyes fastened on the face Of Christ.
Nicodcmus and Joseph Of Arimathea are
represented by I'VE persons in rich dress;
they have boards. wear long robes. and are
portraits.
Nicodemus has a turran on his head 10
suI.,a4, A.. n.s..A u. -. = N-
satchel with three external pockets. FL
rally, across the fold of his coat runs a
stripe On which are marked signs aud fam
tastic letters such as are seen on the cary
ings OF Michel ColOnb.
Joseph dArimathea also has a bag from
which " little keys hang. lie on
his head the usual hCadGress of the fifteenth
CENTURY.
The Christ is stretched out on the cloth
held by Nicodcmus md Joseph OF Arima-
thea, the limbs arc siiT, the head droops
and falls forward, the eyes are closed, the
mouth opon.
On the side Of the tomb there are two has
reliefs, JONAS coming U Of the whale. and
che sacrifice OF Abraham. with three pilas-
t2rs bearing the arms of BirOn.
All the details Of the "~Entombment" are
executed in the most precious manner: the
dominant notes in this masterpiece are
unity and expression. The Virgins face
expresses not merely grief hut also Chris
tan resignation; the followed cheeks show
the marks Of tears, and the features and the
attitude bring back the moments that all
have passed through ia attending the burial
Of some dear one and looking for the last
time on faces that viii never be seen again.
Thus this Virgin appears. without affec-
tation, a real. striking. living image of the
grief of a mother looking on her son for
the last time. who wishes to look at him
still and to prolong for a few moments his
presence with her.
The faccs-of tho two holy women are also
perfect; they show infinite art on the Part
OF the sculptor, who has managed TO give
them. together with n touching expression,
n modest and reserved demcanor which
allows tile beholder to turn all his attention
and interest to tho face OF the Virgin.
On the other hand the sculptor has given
To the features Of st. John aud the MngGalen.
which are further away and are even sep
a.ated from the central group an individ-
ual expression. an active personal attitude
in the manner OF turning the head, its in
| clination, and the look, a certain contraction
of features, which arOuses feelings OF great
grief.
To complete the picture, Nioodemus and
Joseph of Arimathea are two rich men Of
the period thathave posed for the sculptor.
who has depicted them just as they were.
The whole composition 10 contained IN