Lamentation of Christ

The Lamentation of Christ is an independent iconographic episode within the Passion and is related to the Grabtragung and Entombment of Christ. The Lamentation was either on Calvary - at the foot of the cross - or at the grave of Christ.

In contrast to the Pietà, where the Mother of God in the rule as a single person mourns the body of Jesus resting on her knees, resting here the corpse on the floor.

The biblical tradition mentions a Lamentation of Christ not: after removal of the corpse from the cross takes place immediately the burial of Jesus. An allusion but you can see in the mention:

The Lamentation of Christ is the subject of several apocryphal and theological works. Especially this episode is later mystics such as Pseudo- Bonaventura extremely popular.

In the Orthodox tradition

Collections of the 17th century and the publication "The Passion of the Christ " on the basis of early Christian apocrypha deliver a detailed narrative, according to which the Mother of God mourned her dead son.

The parties

Are involved in the Lamentation as the funeral - with modifications - 7 persons:

• Evangelist John
• Joseph of Arimathea
• Nicodemus
• Virgin Mary
• Mary Magdalene
• The Sisters of Mary Cleophas and Salome

Iconography

The Beweinungsszene appears in art relatively late ( from 12th century).

Often the body of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea ( shoulders ) and Nicodemus is worn ( the legs); Maria is close to fainting.

Pictures

Geertgen tot Sint Jans

Andrea Mantegna

Carpaccio

Lindau Lamentation