The Entombment, after Mantegna 1620 - 1669

This is Rembrandt van Rijn’s “The Entombment, after Mantegna,” a pen and brown ink drawing from the 17th century. Rembrandt, working in the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great wealth and cultural achievement for the Netherlands, here grapples with the work of Andrea Mantegna, an Italian Renaissance artist. Notice how Rembrandt renders the emotional intensity of the scene. The grief-stricken figures surrounding Christ's body convey a deep sense of sorrow and loss. The swooning woman, traditionally seen as Mary, is overcome by grief, a stark reminder of the human toll of divine events. Rembrandt uses line and shadow to direct our attention, and the composition reflects a society deeply invested in religious narratives and the emotional gravitas of biblical stories. The Entombment is not just a religious scene; it's a reflection on human suffering and empathy. Rembrandt invites us to witness and share in the raw, unfiltered emotion of this pivotal moment.