The Entombment c. 1500

Andrea Briosco, or Riccio, crafted this bronze relief, "The Entombment," around the late 15th or early 16th century. The compressed, almost claustrophobic composition immediately captures our attention. The surface texture, with its minute and dynamic modelling of the figures, invites closer inspection. Riccio’s focus isn't on a serene depiction of grief. Instead, the densely packed figures, with their contorted poses and exaggerated expressions, convey a raw, almost visceral sense of anguish. The artist orchestrates the interplay of light and shadow across the bronze surface, enhancing the emotional intensity of the scene. We can analyze the composition as a deliberate arrangement of bodies and gestures, each element contributing to the overall dramatic impact. This reflects the Renaissance interest in humanism, and specifically the focus on human emotion. Note how the structure destabilizes established categories of how piety is expressed. The bronze serves as a medium not just for storytelling but for exploring the depths of human experience. As such, this work invites us to contemplate the intersection of form, emotion, and meaning in Renaissance art.