The Lamentation of Christ c1500AD (50.96)

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This wood carving from Southern Germany shows the Lamentation of Christ, the moment in the Passion story when according the Gospels, Christ’s closest friends and family mourned over his body after he had died on the cross. Christ’s upper body and head are supported by St John, his favourite disciple. The crown of thorns, one of the instruments of Christ’s passion, seems to have fallen to the ground. Christ’s mother, the Virgin Mary, tenderly holds his limp arm with her left hand, and with her right raises a corner of her veil as if to capture her tears. On the right, St Mary Magdalene kneels in quiet mourning. She is dressed in contemporary fashion, and holds her attribute, the ointment jar. This was a popular theme in late medieval art and devotion. Viewers would have been encouraged to emotionally engage with the image of Christ’s dead body in front of them, and to meditate on his humanity and sacrifice for humankind. The carved group may once have formed part of a larger ensemble, perhaps an altarpiece.