Preview
Send
Share
Details
Guide
Download
Similars
X-Ray
Diaporama
StatsEntombment
Oil On Canvas- WallArt
- Baroque
1603- Early Modern
300.0 x 203.0 cm
Caravaggio's 'Entombment': A powerful Baroque masterpiece depicting Christ's burial with dramatic lighting and raw emotion. Explore grief, faith & artistic innovation.
Read More
Baroque master Caravaggio defined tenebrism with works like Cardsharps. Discover the dramatic power of his revolutionary realism today.
Giclée / Art Print
Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. (
Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)
P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8
Standard
custom
CM
INCH
Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.
Loading sizes...
width
height
Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. A print can only be cut, never made bigger than the picture, so a size with a different shape loses a part of the image. We send you a digital mockup to approve before we print anything. The picture shown on this page does not show the real cut — only the mockup does.
Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (23 October)
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
High-Quality Linen Canvas
Full Shipping Insurance
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
True Color Matching Guarantee
100-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
100% Money-Back Guarantee
Bulk Discount Offer
Glass option is only available in size under 110 CM
Entombment
Giclée / Art Print
Reproduction Size
-
Total Price
$ 70
The Entombment: A Masterpiece of Baroque Drama
Caravaggio's "Entombment," painted in 1603-1604, stands as a pivotal work within the Baroque period and a testament to the artist’s revolutionary approach to religious painting. Commissioned for the chapel of Pietro Conti in Santa Prassede, Rome, this large canvas (300 x 203 cm) depicts the moment following Christ's crucifixion when his body is being lowered into the tomb. The scene is rendered with a raw realism and emotional intensity that was groundbreaking for its time, moving away from idealized depictions towards a more visceral portrayal of human grief and suffering.
Composition and Technique: Chiaroscuro at Its Finest
The painting's composition is striking in its dramatic use of chiaroscuro – the stark contrast between light and shadow. Caravaggio masterfully employs this technique to draw the viewer’s eye directly to the central figures, highlighting their expressions of sorrow and anguish. The dark background serves to isolate the mourners, intensifying the emotional impact of the scene. Christ's body is positioned diagonally across the canvas, creating a sense of movement and instability that reflects the profound loss being depicted. The artist worked rapidly, often directly onto the canvas without preliminary sketches, resulting in a spontaneity and immediacy evident in the brushwork.
Historical Context and Symbolism
Created during the Counter-Reformation, "Entombment" was intended to inspire piety and devotion among viewers. The Catholic Church sought art that could effectively communicate religious narratives and evoke emotional responses. Caravaggio’s realistic portrayal of biblical figures resonated with audiences who were increasingly seeking a more personal connection to their faith. Symbolically, the painting is rich in meaning. The stone slab partially visible at the top right represents the seal placed over Christ's tomb, signifying his death and resurrection. The figures surrounding Christ – Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Magdalene, and the Virgin Mary – represent different aspects of faith and mourning. Their gestures—Nicodemus’s careful handling of Christ’s body, Mary Magdalene’s grief-stricken gaze, and the Virgin's outstretched arms—convey a profound sense of loss and reverence.
Emotional Impact: A Profound Expression of Grief
What truly distinguishes "Entombment" is its ability to evoke a powerful emotional response in the viewer. Caravaggio doesn’t shy away from depicting the raw, unfiltered grief of those present at Christ's entombment. The faces are contorted with sorrow, and their bodies seem burdened by the weight of their loss. This psychological realism was unprecedented in art at the time and profoundly influenced subsequent generations of artists. The painting transcends a mere depiction of a biblical event; it becomes a universal meditation on mortality, faith, and the enduring power of human emotion.
Legacy and Influence
"Entombment" is now housed within the Galleria Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Italy, continuing to captivate audiences with its dramatic intensity and artistic innovation. Caravaggio’s influence on Baroque art is undeniable, inspiring artists like Rubens and Rembrandt to explore similar themes of drama, realism, and emotional depth. The painting remains a powerful example of Caravaggio's genius and a cornerstone of Western art history.
Questions & Answers
When was "Entombment" made?
"Entombment" dates from 1603. The date places the work within Caravaggio's career and its era.
What shape and dimensions is "Entombment" by Caravaggio?
The format of "Entombment" is portrait, and the original measures 300 x 203 cm. Both are useful when planning a reproduction.
What color palette is used in "Entombment" by Caravaggio?
The palette of "Entombment" by Caravaggio is described as earthy. It is a compact description of the work's colors.
Artist Biography
A Life Forged in Shadow and Light
Milan, 1571. The air is heavy with the scent of plague. Young Michelangelo Merisi watches as death claims his father and grandfather in a single day. He grows up in the grip of poverty, a reality that later finds its way onto his canvases through the faces of ordinary people. By 1584, he begins an apprenticeship under Simone Peterzano, a former pupil of Titian. This training provides the technical foundation, but the spirit of the boy from Milan is already restless.
Rome, around 1592. The city is a crucible of religious fervor and intense competition. Caravaggio arrives without fixed address or provision, a penniless migrant in a landscape of grand ambitions. He finds footing through the patronage of Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte. In the shadows of the Palazzo Madama, the artist begins to strip away the artificial elegance of Mannerism. He replaces elongated, idealized forms with something far more visceral.
The Architecture of Darkness
He rejects the polished surfaces of his contemporaries. Instead, he embraces tenebrism, a style where darkness is a physical presence rather than a mere absence of light. In works like The Cardsharps, light does not simply illuminate; it strikes. It carves figures out of an impenetrable black void. This technique, often called chiaroscuro, creates a stage-like intensity that forces the viewer to confront the raw textures of silk, skin, and bone.
His method is direct. He works alla prima, applying paint directly to the canvas without the safety net of preparatory drawings. This immediacy allows for a startling realism. He uses the people of the Roman streets—the drunks, the laborers, the outcasts—as models for the sacred. When he paints the Holy Family, they possess the dirt and weariness of the living. The divine becomes profoundly human.
- Tenebrism: The use of violent contrasts between light and dark to command attention.
- Realism: A commitment to depicting the physical and emotional truth of the human condition.
- Direct Observation: Working from live models to capture unadorned, naturalistic detail.
Flight and Finality
The brilliance of his art is matched by the volatility of his temperament. A brawl in 1606 leads to a murder charge and a death sentence. The artist becomes an outlaw. He flees Rome, moving through Naples, Malta, and Sicily. Even in exile, the work continues. In Malta, he joins the Order of St. John, but his turbulent nature leads to imprisonment after a quarrel with a superior.
The end comes in 1610. While traveling from Naples back toward Rome in search of a papal pardon, he dies in Porto Ercole. The cause remains a subject of debate—fever, wounds, or perhaps lead poisoning. He leaves behind a legacy that fundamentally altered the course of Western art. His followers, the Caravaggisti, carry his shadows across Europe, ensuring that the darkness he mastered would never truly fade.
Caravaggio
1571 - 1610 , Spain
Quick Facts
- Artistic Movement Or Style: Baroque, Tenebrism
- Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Caravaggisti
- Rubens
- Jusepe de Ribera
- Gerrit van Honthorst
- Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Titian']
- Full Name: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
- Notable Artworks:
- The Taking of Christ
- Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy
- The Fortune Teller
- Supper at Emmaus
- David with the Head of Goliath
- Place Of Birth: Milan, Spain
- Date Of Birth: 1571
- Date Of Death: 1610
Related Articles
The Visceral Stage: Exploring Dramatic Narratives & Emotional Intensity in Baroque Art
Explore the dramatic world of Baroque art! Discover iconic masters like Caravaggio & Rembrandt, their techniques, and the movement's lasting impact. Expert insights for collectors & enthusiasts at TopImpressionists.
Chiaroscuro and Soul: A Definitive Guide to the Drama and Emotion of Italian Baroque Masterpieces
Embark on a sophisticated journey through Italian Baroque art. Discover the dramatic interplay of light and emotion in Caravaggio’s masterpieces and explore how to bring this timeless grandeur into your collection with expert art insights.
Chiaroscuro & Emotional Resonance: Exploring Dramatic Light in Western Painting
Explore the captivating world of chiaroscuro & tenebrism! Discover Caravaggio's influence, Baroque masters, and the enduring power of dramatic lighting in art history. Learn about these techniques with TopImpressionists.
The Dramatic Flourish: Exploring the Baroque Movement's Enduring Legacy in Art History
Explore the dramatic world of Baroque art! Discover iconic artists like Caravaggio & Rubens, defining techniques, and its lasting impact on art history. Expert insights for collectors & enthusiasts at TopImpressionists.
Baroque Masterpieces: 10 Paintings That Defined an Era |
Journey through the drama & grandeur of Baroque art! Explore 10 masterpieces by Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Rubens & more. Discover stunning oil paintings, rich colors & timeless stories. Find museum-quality reproductions at .
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.
