Deposition of Christ

Maker Unknown, German, 17th Century

Additional Title(s)

Deposition (after Michelangelo)

ClassificationsSCULPTURE

Date17th century

Mediumpear wood

Dimensionsoverall: 13 1/2 x 10 in. (34.3 x 25.4 cm.)

DescriptionThis carved wood panel portrays a biblical scene from the Gospels in which Jesus's body is removed from the cross after his crucifixion.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Gift of the Ernst and Marta Silten-Friedberg Collection

Status

On view

Label TextLacking plentiful supplies of marble, Northern artists turned to dense, even- and fine-grained woods—such as boxwood and fruitwood—for their sculpture. Because these woods can be brought to a high polish, such sculpture can assume the appearance of bronze. However, given the limited size of the trees and shrubs, these carvings could be rendered only in relatively small sizes. Most of the reliefs on display here were used as intimate devotional images in private homes.

Object number2007.17.10