The Entombment (Titian, 1559) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Entombment |
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| Artist | Titian |
| Year | 1559 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 137 cm × 175 cm (54 in × 69 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
The Entombment is a famous painting from 1559 by the Italian artist Titian. It was painted using oil paints on a canvas. Philip II of Spain, who was the king of Spain, asked Titian to create this artwork.
The painting shows the moment when Jesus is placed into a stone tomb. This tomb has carvings of stories from the Bible, like Cain and Abel and the binding of Isaac. The painting is quite large, measuring about 137 by 175 centimeters. Today, you can see it at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
Titian painted this subject more than once. He made a similar version in 1572, which is also in the Prado. An even earlier painting of the same scene, from around 1520, is now in the Louvre museum.
This particular painting was the second one Titian made for King Philip II on this subject. An earlier, smaller version from 1557 was lost on its way to Spain. This larger painting was sent to Spain in 1559. It arrived at El Escorial in 1574. There, it was displayed next to other works by Titian, like his Adoration of the Magi.
Contents
What the Painting Shows
This painting shows five people with Jesus's body. Three of them are carefully placing him into the tomb.
Key Figures in the Scene
- Nicodemus: He is holding Jesus's body. Nicodemus was a Jewish leader who secretly visited Jesus to learn from him. In the painting, Nicodemus looks a lot like Titian himself. This might have been inspired by another artist, Michelangelo, who put himself in his own painting of Jesus's burial.
- Virgin Mary: Jesus's mother, the Virgin Mary, is shown holding one of his arms. She wears a special blue robe, which helps you recognize her.
- Joseph of Arimathea: He is at Jesus's feet, helping to lower him into the tomb.
Other Important People
- Mary Magdelene: On the right side of the painting, you can see Mary Magdalene. She is wearing a white robe and has red hair.
- John the Evangelist: Standing behind Mary Magdalene is John the Evangelist. His hands are clasped together, showing his sadness.
The stone tomb in the painting looks like ancient Roman tombs. It's interesting that the Virgin Mary is shown helping with the burial, as this isn't mentioned in the Bible stories. This idea might have come from a book written in 1538 by Pietro Aretino.
Titian's Painting Style
In The Entombment, you can see how Titian's painting style was changing. He started using wider brushstrokes, which made the painting look more dynamic. He also used very bright and strong colors. These techniques made his artworks even more powerful and expressive.
Today, this beautiful painting is a permanent part of the art collection at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
Images for kids
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The Entombment of Christ, c.1520, Louvre
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The Burial of Christ, 1572, Prado
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Adoration of the Magi, 16th century, Prado
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Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, 1567, El Escorial
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See also
- List of works by Titian
In Spanish: Entierro de Cristo (1559) para niños
