The Entombment

Wenceslaus Hollar, after a follower of Hans Holbein the Younger

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an interaction taking place at a tomb or crypt. The scene depicts a carved box-like structure resembling a sarcophagus or altar situated under a natural stone formation or hollowed-out earth area, which is adorned with greenery. Surrounding the structure are several draped figures, likely involved in some act of offering or ritual, as they appear to interact with the sarcophagus. The figures are clad in flowing robes, rendered in fine linework that gives a sense of movement. The depiction captures a moment of solemn ritual or ceremonial action amidst a rocky, natural landscape, rendered in dense black and white hatching.