Entombment c. 16th century

Editor: Lucas Cranach the Elder’s "Entombment," at the Harvard Art Museums, is incredibly moving. I'm struck by the raw emotion etched into each face. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It feels like stepping into a shared moment of grief, doesn’t it? Cranach masterfully uses line work to create texture, almost like we can feel the weight of loss. The landscape, too, feels like it's weeping. Do you notice how the figures are clustered so close together? Editor: Yes, it amplifies the feeling of shared sorrow and support. The density adds to the somber mood. Curator: Exactly! Cranach uses that density to guide our eye, and it's a powerful reminder that even in death, there’s connection. The way light and shadow dance across the scene breathes life into the engraving. Editor: I hadn't considered the light so deliberately. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure! It makes you wonder what Cranach himself felt, doesn't it? I see a meditation on mortality. Editor: Absolutely, a profound exploration of human emotion during a pivotal moment.