The Lamentation over the Dead Christ thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Lamentation over the Dead Christ

Statuette
ca. 1850-1880 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This carved limewood group represents the Lamentation over the Dead Christ, and was probably made in Germany or France in the second half of the nineteenth century. The relief and base are made separately but from the same block of wood. This fact, as well as the stylistic inconsistency, are reasons to doubt the previously proposed date of the figures, the first third of the 16th century. The group was almost certainly in fact produced in about 1850-1880 by a carver who worked for the collector Frédéric Spitzer; it may have been made as a pendant to a Circumcision, probably of Antwerp origin of about 1520.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleThe Lamentation over the Dead Christ (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved limewood
Brief description
Limewood statuette group representing the Lamentation over the Dead Christ. German or French ca. 1850-1880.
Physical description
The scene of the Lamentation over the Dead Christ. Dead body of Christ supported in a sitting position by the Virgin; St. John kneeling and St. Mary Magdelene holding Christ's left arm. Figures of the two other Maries, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus kneeling around.
Dimensions
  • With base height: 10.5in
  • Width: 11.5in
Subjects depicted
Summary
This carved limewood group represents the Lamentation over the Dead Christ, and was probably made in Germany or France in the second half of the nineteenth century. The relief and base are made separately but from the same block of wood. This fact, as well as the stylistic inconsistency, are reasons to doubt the previously proposed date of the figures, the first third of the 16th century. The group was almost certainly in fact produced in about 1850-1880 by a carver who worked for the collector Frédéric Spitzer; it may have been made as a pendant to a Circumcision, probably of Antwerp origin of about 1520.
Bibliographic reference
Jopek, Nobert. German Sculpture 1430-1540: a Catalogue of the Collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V&A Publications, 2002. cat. no. 76. pp. 158-159.
Collection
Accession number
A.15-1912

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Record createdJanuary 20, 2009
Record URL
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