The Entombment of Christ (El Greco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Entombment of Christ |
|
|---|---|
| Spanish: Santo Entierro | |
 |
|
| Artist | El Greco |
| Year | 1570-1576 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 51 cm × 43 cm (20 in × 17 in) |
| Location | Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Athens |
The Entombment of Christ is a famous oil painting by the artist El Greco. He painted it between 1570 and 1576. This artwork shows a very important moment from the Bible: when the body of Jesus Christ was placed in a tomb after his crucifixion. Today, you can see this painting at the Alexandros Soutzos Museum in Athens, Greece.
Contents
What is The Entombment of Christ?
The "Entombment of Christ" is a scene from the New Testament of the Bible. It describes the moment after Jesus was taken down from the cross. His followers then carefully placed his body in a tomb. This event is a common subject in Christian art. Many artists throughout history have painted their own versions of this sad but important moment.
Who was El Greco?
El Greco was a very special artist. His real name was Domenikos Theotokopoulos. He was born in 1541 on the island of Crete, which was part of Venice at the time. He later moved to Italy, where he learned from great masters like Titian and Tintoretto. These artists taught him a lot about color and drama in paintings.
After his time in Italy, El Greco moved to Spain. He became known for his unique style. His paintings often feature long, stretched-out figures and bright, unusual colors. The Entombment of Christ was painted during his time in Italy. It shows how his style was just starting to develop.
What does the painting show?
This painting shows Jesus's body being gently lowered or carried into a tomb. The scene is full of emotion. Several people are gathered around Jesus. These include his mother, Mary, and his close followers like Saint John. You can also see Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea. These last two were important figures who helped bury Jesus.
Colors and Light
El Greco used dark, deep colors in this painting. This helps to show the sad and serious mood of the moment. However, he also used bright highlights. These highlights draw your eye to important parts of the painting, like Jesus's body and the faces of the people around him. The way he uses light and shadow makes the scene feel very dramatic.
The People in the Painting
Each person in the painting shows a different feeling. Mary, Jesus's mother, looks very sad and heartbroken. The other figures also show grief and respect. El Greco was very good at showing strong emotions through the faces and body language of his characters. This makes the painting powerful and moving.
Where is the painting now?
After being created in the 1570s, The Entombment of Christ has been kept safe for centuries. Today, it is a treasured piece in the collection of the Alexandros Soutzos Museum in Athens, Greece. It is an important example of El Greco's early work before he moved to Spain and developed his more famous, unique style.
See also
In Spanish: Santo Entierro (El Greco) para niños
- List of works by El Greco
