There are three "genres" of post-Crucifixion paintings that are very similar and easily confused: depositions, pietàs and lamentations. They depict scenes in chronological order as follows:
- A "Deposition," sometimes called a "Descent from the cross," shows Christ's body being taken down from the cross after his death.
- A "Pietà" shows the Virgin cradling Christ's body. Many Pietàs feature only the Virgin, some also show St. John and St. Mary Magdelene.
- A "Lamentation" shows Mary and Christ's followers around his lifeless body on the ground, often as it is being wrapped in a shroud. A lamentation always include the Virgin among the mourners and often includes St. John and St. Mary Magdalene, the latter often at the feet of Christ.
My hope is to post links this week to some of the most beautiful examples of each of these.
Here's a beginning -- Lamentation, ca. 1500 (?), by Gerard David.
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