Deposition from the Cross c. 18th century

Editor: This is Johann Michael Rottmayr’s "Deposition from the Cross," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The figures are so dramatic and full of emotion, really drawing me in. What stands out to you? Curator: The symbolic language here is quite powerful, isn't it? Rottmayr uses the imagery of the deposition, the removal of Christ from the cross, as a cultural touchstone, evoking centuries of collective memory and grief. Notice the skull at the base? Editor: Yes, I see it. What does it signify? Curator: That's a memento mori, a reminder of mortality. It adds a layer, connecting Christ’s sacrifice to the viewer’s own fate. Does this resonate with you? Editor: It does. I didn’t realize how much the skull contributes to the painting's overall message. Thanks! Curator: It is through this rich symbolism that Rottmayr's image speaks across time.