The Lamentation

German 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a religious scene. The composition presents a group of figures surrounding a lifeless figure at the base of a large wooden cross. To the left, a figure with a halo and curly hair wears a red robe. The central figure, also haloed, is dressed in a white garment. On the right, another red-robed figure with a halo appears to watch over the scene, holding a container. The background features a ladder leaning against the cross and rolling green hills with rounded trees. The entire scene is framed by an elaborate floral border in an abstract medieval style. It is in the style of medieval woodcut illustrations.