Dead Christ Supported by Mary and St. John the Evangelist 1440

This is Filippo Lippi’s painting, Dead Christ Supported by Mary and St. John the Evangelist, created in Italy during the Early Renaissance. The Italian Renaissance was a period of renewed interest in classical art and learning, yet the portrayal of religious subjects remained central. Here we see Christ’s lifeless body held by Mary and St. John. These figures embody profound grief, yet the composition is balanced, with Mary dressed in somber blues and St. John in vibrant reds. Lippi was an orphan who became a Carmelite friar, later eloping with a nun, underscoring his complex relationship with religious institutions. In this emotional scene, the representation of male and female grief diverges, with Mary’s sorrow deeply etched in her face, and St. John offering a stoic support. The painting navigates traditional religious narratives while hinting at the personal tensions and experiences of the artist. This artwork serves not only as a religious icon, but also as a testament to the deeply human emotions of loss and mourning.