The Deposition
Relief
early 15th century (made)
early 15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This alabaster panel shows the Deposition of Christ from the cross. The figure of Christ is supported by the central standing figure of Joseph of Arimathea, while Nicodemus kneels to the right to remove the nail from Christ's feet with a pair of pliers.
The top of the panel has a embattled canopy, a feature popular in the early 15th century. This feature links it to four other panels in the V&A (A.152-1946, A.154-1946, A.171-1946, A.172-1946) which must originally have formed an altarpiece showing scenes from Christ's Passion. This subject was particularly suitable for an altarpiece. It illustrated Christ's sacrifice of himself for mankind: the whole basis for the Mass celebrated at an altar. About 30 alabaster panels showing the Deposition survive- this makes it a relatively popular subject among surviving alabaster reliefs. We know that at least six of these were originally part of Passion altarpieces, but this particular version is the only surviving example where the panels have embattled canopies.
The top of the panel has a embattled canopy, a feature popular in the early 15th century. This feature links it to four other panels in the V&A (A.152-1946, A.154-1946, A.171-1946, A.172-1946) which must originally have formed an altarpiece showing scenes from Christ's Passion. This subject was particularly suitable for an altarpiece. It illustrated Christ's sacrifice of himself for mankind: the whole basis for the Mass celebrated at an altar. About 30 alabaster panels showing the Deposition survive- this makes it a relatively popular subject among surviving alabaster reliefs. We know that at least six of these were originally part of Passion altarpieces, but this particular version is the only surviving example where the panels have embattled canopies.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Deposition (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved alabaster, gesso, paint and gilt |
| Brief description | Relief, alabaster, The Deposition, England, early 15th century |
| Physical description | The Deposition, alabaster relief. The dead Christ is lowered from the Cross by Joseph of Arimathea (left) and a beardless figure on a ladder (right). Nicodemus kneels (right) to remove the nails from Christ's feet with pincers. On the left stand the Virgin and St John. Green and flowered ground and cross. Gilt backing with gesso and knobs (now missing). Slight traces of gilding and colour. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | All five panels: In old oratory of church of the Holy Sepulchre, Palma de Mallorca. In the Musée Van Stolk before 1928 (mentioned in catalogue, published in the Hague, 1910, cat. no. 411). Sold at auction in Amsterdam in May 1928, and panels dispersed to two buyers. Re-assembled approximately a year later. Lent to the V&A by W. L. Hildburgh, and then given to the museum in 1946. |
| Historical context | Part of an altarpiece depicting scenes from the Passion cycle (described by F. Cheetham as Altarpiece B). There are about thirty surviving panels showing the Deposition, of which we know that six were part of Passion altarpieces. The embattled upper edge was a feature popular in the early fifteenth century, although this is the only known surviving complete (or almost complete) English alabaster Passion altarpiece with such decoration. Three similarly embattled Passion panels do survive at the Musée de Carcassone. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This alabaster panel shows the Deposition of Christ from the cross. The figure of Christ is supported by the central standing figure of Joseph of Arimathea, while Nicodemus kneels to the right to remove the nail from Christ's feet with a pair of pliers. The top of the panel has a embattled canopy, a feature popular in the early 15th century. This feature links it to four other panels in the V&A (A.152-1946, A.154-1946, A.171-1946, A.172-1946) which must originally have formed an altarpiece showing scenes from Christ's Passion. This subject was particularly suitable for an altarpiece. It illustrated Christ's sacrifice of himself for mankind: the whole basis for the Mass celebrated at an altar. About 30 alabaster panels showing the Deposition survive- this makes it a relatively popular subject among surviving alabaster reliefs. We know that at least six of these were originally part of Passion altarpieces, but this particular version is the only surviving example where the panels have embattled canopies. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.153-1946 |
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| Record created | February 25, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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