The Dead Christ with the Virgin, St John the Evangelist and St Mary Magdalene; a Pieta.
Group
ca. 1510-1515 (made)
ca. 1510-1515 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The figure of the Dead Christ is supported by the Virgin and St John the Evangelist, with St mary Magdalen. The group was made in five pieces. The figure of Christ, with the hands of St John and the Virgin attached was cut in two to fit into the kiln for firing. The Magdalen was broken during the original firing, probably due to air being trapped in the clay which expanded when heated. This prevented a second firing for the tin-glazing and the figure was therefore painted instead. On acquisition the group was stated to have been 'formerly in a private chapel in Siena.'
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
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Title | The Dead Christ with the Virgin, St John the Evangelist and St Mary Magdalene; a Pieta. |
Materials and techniques | Terracotta |
Brief description | Group, terracotta, Lamentation over the Dead Christ. |
Physical description | Group in terracotta, partly covered with polychrome tin glazing and partly pigmented. The group is made of five separate pieces, which fit imperfectly at the base. The legs of Christ and the figures of the Magdalen and the Virgin have been broken and repaired. In the centre foreground is the semi-recumbent figure of the Dead Christ, supported by the Virgin, who kneels behind, supporting his head with her right hand and holding his arm with her left. To the right kneels St Mary Magdalen, with her right hand on her breast and a jar of unguent in her left. To the left is St John the Evangelist, with the head turned to the spectator, supporting the right shoulder of Christ. The whole group rests on a shallow base glazed in dull green. The flesh areas are pigmented throughout, as is the whole surface of the Magdalen, the red cloak of St John the Evangelist, and the red dress of the Virgin. Glazed areas comprise the loin-cloth of Christ (white), the cloak of the Virgin (blue with a green lining tied by a yellow strap), her belt (yellow), her coif (white), the robe of St John the Evangelist (blue), and the lining of his cloak (yellow). |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label | The Lamentation over the Dead Christ
About 1510–15
Workshop of Andrea della Robbia
(1435–1525)
Large-scale groups in various materials were used as focal
points for devotion in chapels and churches throughout
Europe. Terracotta was particularly popular in Tuscany
and around Bologna.
Terracotta groups on this scale were difficult to make.
The figures here were each constructed separately.
Mary Magdalene, on the right, is now in several pieces
and probably shattered during the first (or biscuit) firing.
This prevented a second firing to secure the glazes, so
instead the figure was painted.
Italy, Florence
Glazed and painted terracotta
Museum no. 409-1889(26/11/2010) |
Object history | Purchased in Siena for £474. 13s 9d. . |
Historical context | Stated to have been "formerly in a private chapel in Siena. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The figure of the Dead Christ is supported by the Virgin and St John the Evangelist, with St mary Magdalen. The group was made in five pieces. The figure of Christ, with the hands of St John and the Virgin attached was cut in two to fit into the kiln for firing. The Magdalen was broken during the original firing, probably due to air being trapped in the clay which expanded when heated. This prevented a second firing for the tin-glazing and the figure was therefore painted instead. On acquisition the group was stated to have been 'formerly in a private chapel in Siena.' |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 409:1 to :5-1889 |
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Record created | October 27, 2008 |
Record URL |
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