The Deposition 1629 - 1809

This is an oil on canvas painting, of unknown date, entitled ‘The Deposition’, and painted by an anonymous artist. The layered application of oil paint is fundamental here. The artist would have had to build the image up slowly, waiting for each layer to dry before applying the next. This lengthy process is at odds with the drama of the scene. Notice how the rich blacks and browns create a somber mood, while the contrasting pale flesh tones draw our attention to Christ's body. There's a deep tradition behind this type of history painting. Artists would have been apprenticed for years, learning how to grind pigments, stretch canvases, and mix paints. The level of skill required to create such a dramatic composition shouldn't be overlooked. We can still appreciate the artist's technical abilities and the way they've used the materiality of paint to evoke emotion and narrative.