The Entombment, from The Passion of Christ, plate 23 1664

"The Entombment" from "The Passion of Christ," was engraved by Grégoire Huret during a period of religious fervor in 17th-century France. This print portrays the somber scene of Christ's burial, a pivotal moment in Christian theology. Huret uses the visual language of his time to emphasize the emotional weight of the scene, but he also participates in constructing and perpetuating religious narratives. Look at the figures surrounding Christ. Notice the performative grief, the theatrical lighting, and the idealized bodies. The male figures attending to Christ contrast with the women’s emotional expressions of sorrow and mourning, highlighting traditional gender roles and the performative nature of grief in religious contexts. Consider how Huret's work asks us to reflect on the historical construction of religious narratives and their impact on shaping societal values.