The Entombment 

Jacob Jordaens created this ink and wash drawing, called “The Entombment”, sometime in the seventeenth century. As a Flemish Baroque painter, Jordaens was well aware of the prevailing social and political dynamics of his time. Northern European art was deeply influenced by the Counter-Reformation, which sought to reaffirm traditional religious values in response to the rise of Protestantism. Jordaens, like his contemporaries, created art that served a public role, conveying religious narratives and moral lessons. “The Entombment” depicts the scene following Christ's crucifixion, where his body is prepared for burial. The image creates meaning through visual codes, such as the somber expressions and gestures of mourning. This is a meditation on mortality and salvation. To understand it better, we can delve into the religious history of the period. Art historians investigate original documents to trace an artwork’s provenance and interpret its meaning in its original context. This reveals the subtle interplay between art, religion, and society.