The Entombment of Christ

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio

National Gallery of Art

This is a rectangular relief sculpture depicting multiple people who carry or support a central person who appears lifeless. The lifeless person has long hair, a beard, and is nude except for a cloth tied around their waist. The crowd of figures is densely packed, with overlapping, outstretched limbs and flowing garments. The faces that emerge from the crowd convey expressions of grief, with many open mouths and downturned eyes. In each of the bottom corners there is a figure seated on the ground with their head bent. The sculpture is bronze colored, with a few areas of darker patina.