The Lamentation c. 1480 - 1490

Here we see an anonymous, early printmaking piece called 'The Lamentation'. The strong horizontal composition is immediately striking, creating a stage for the unfolding scene. The figures are pressed closely together, and the effect is one of enclosure and intense emotion. The artist used blocks of colour to define the figures and shapes. Notice how the limited palette of reds, blues, yellows, and greens, each outlined with a bold, dark line, flattens the image. This lends the print a striking graphic quality reminiscent of early woodcuts. The composition and use of colour create a sense of intimacy but also of isolation. The strong lines and the simplified forms don't just depict a scene; they convey a sense of raw emotional expression and underscore the central theme of grief. It's a poignant meditation on suffering, highlighting the structural elements that convey the deep emotional weight of the subject.