Entombment 1522 - 1532

Parmigianino created this print called "Entombment" using etching techniques. The composition draws us into a scene of mournful observation, dominated by the stark, still form of Christ laid out on a stone surface. The use of line, rendered with variable depth and texture, gives the print a uniquely somber tonality, and evokes a sense of reverence. Parmigianino's attention to the aesthetics of line and form transcends mere representation; it is about revealing the inner emotional and philosophical dimensions of the scene. The arrangement of figures around Christ, each exhibiting stylized poses and elongated forms, creates a complex interplay of gaze and gesture. We can ask ourselves, how do these formal choices affect our understanding of grief, spirituality, and the human condition? Ultimately, it is the linear quality of the print, combined with its arrangement of forms, that invites endless interpretations. The artwork challenges viewers to consider not just the religious narrative, but also the broader human themes of loss and contemplation.