The Entombment 1617 - 1618

Anthony van Dyck rendered this ink drawing, The Entombment, sometime in the early to mid-17th century. It shows the body of Christ being carried to the tomb. Van Dyck, like many artists of his time, was deeply influenced by the religious and political climate of Europe. The Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts, and religious themes were common. However, the Protestant Reformation had also led to new ways of thinking about religion and art. In the context of the Counter-Reformation, images of the Passion were seen as a way to inspire devotion and reaffirm Catholic doctrine. Here, Van Dyck emphasizes the humanity of Christ through his vulnerable pose and the grief-stricken reactions of those carrying him. The Entombment, then, is more than just a religious scene; it reflects the complex social and political forces at play in 17th-century Europe. To fully understand its meaning, historians consult primary sources like letters, theological treatises, and patronage records, to uncover how these factors shaped the artist's vision.