Titian’s Entombment 

Curator: John Linnell’s "Titian’s Entombment" is a small oil on paper currently held at the Tate. It measures just 114 by 165 millimeters. Editor: It feels somber. The tight composition, heavy with figures, amplifies the scene's intensity and grief. Curator: Linnell, a follower of William Blake, was very interested in the craft of painting and the labor of replicating earlier artists' oeuvres. Here, he engages with Renaissance techniques. Editor: The painting portrays the entombment as a moment of collective sorrow, capturing the vulnerability of the body and challenging the hyper-masculine tropes in religious art. Curator: I'm intrigued by the choice of materials; a miniature oil on paper allows for an intimacy difficult to achieve on larger canvas. It democratizes the making. Editor: It reframes the narrative of the Passion by emphasizing the emotional toll on those who were closest to Jesus, offering a fresh perspective on faith and community. Curator: It makes me think about the commodification of religious imagery, even in miniature form. The labour of copying becomes a devotional act. Editor: It is a powerful reminder of loss, love, and resilience that transcends centuries. Curator: A fine meditation on the enduring relevance of Titian through the lens of process and production.