Lamentation of Christ 

Anthony van Dyck rendered this emotive drawing, Lamentation of Christ, with chalk. Van Dyck, a leading painter of the Flemish Baroque, lived in a society deeply shaped by religious and political upheaval. The sketch captures a raw and human moment. Van Dyck was known for his portraits of the aristocracy, but here, he delves into a scene of profound grief, a universal experience that transcends social strata. The figures surrounding Christ, likely Mary and other mourners, are sketched with an intimacy that departs from the more formal religious depictions typical of the era. The drawing reflects a culture grappling with questions of faith, power, and humanity, inviting viewers to consider the emotional and social dimensions of religious narratives. Van Dyck encourages us to reflect on the shared experience of grief and loss.