The Deposition - One of four Illuminated pages from a Book of Hours

Artist Artist Unknown

Associated Jesus Christ

AssociatedAssociated with The Virgin Mary

Datec. 1430 - 1450

Mediumwatercolour on vellum

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 19.3 cm, Width: 13.8 cm
Frame: Height: 40.5 cm, Width: 35.3 cm

AcquisitionAlexander Webster Bequest, 1921.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG004577

Keywords

Religion

About MeThis is an illuminated page showing the Deposition from a section in a Dutch Book of Hours known as 'The Hours of the Cross'. A Book of Hours was intended for lay people and was filled with hymns, prayers and images for them to meditate on. 'The Hours of the Cross' depicts the story of the passion of Christ.
This scene is set within an arched window with an elaborately decorated border around the outside. Two men take Christ down from the cross, while Mary kneels below. She is wearing blue, which symbolises heaven and is comforted by St. John. The action appears to be set in a contemporary landscape, with a castle in the background. The artist has rendered the small details of objects and expressions with great care. The border contains foliage, fruit and peacocks, which were symbols of immortality and the resurrection.
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Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus helping take the body of Christ down from the cross to the kneeling Mary from a 15th century Dutch Book of Hours