Lamentation over the Body of Christ c. 1500

Gerard David’s *Lamentation over the Body of Christ* (c. 1500) depicts a scene of profound sorrow following the crucifixion of Christ. The painting, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, portrays the Virgin Mary kneeling beside her son's lifeless body, while St. John the Evangelist, his face filled with grief, supports Christ's head. A female figure, possibly Mary Magdalene, mourns, her hands covering her face, while a container symbolizing Christ’s anointing sits within reach. David’s meticulous attention to detail and realistic portrayal of the figures’ emotional states emphasize the powerful solemnity of this pivotal moment in Christian tradition.