Christ Entombed

Abstract

In the left aisle of Santa Maria della Luce in Rome is a polychrome sculpture of Christ Entombed, of unknown origin and date, but may date to the eighteenth or nineteenth century. This sculpture depicts the moment following the Crucifixion when Christ’s body was laid in the tomb. This sculpture was meant to inspire contemplation of Christ’s sacrifice and the hope of resurrection. Christ raises two fingers, a gesture often associated with benediction or a sign of his divine nature, even in death. The polychrome bruises in green and purple hues on Christ’s face indicate that the sculpture was once richly and expressively painted. Over time, much of the paint has worn away, with notable abrasion visible on Christ’s legs, possibly due to touching or use in processions. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.