Lamentation over the Dead Christ

Artist William Dyce (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1806 - 1864)

Date1835

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 210 cm, Width: 165 cm
Frame: Height: 234.3 cm, Width: 188.4 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1983 with assistance from the National Fund for Aquisitions, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG000705

Keywords

About MeThe Lamentation is an example of Dyce deliberately archaising his work in emulation of early Italian art. Pietro Perugino (1450-1523), Raphael's master, has been identified as the specific inspiration for this painting. Dyce reproduces exactly the restrained, yet highly charged emotional intensity of Perugino's work and like Perugino, uses interlaced hands as a leitmotif which carries the viewer around the composition, adding to the devotional experience.

A distant, ethereal vision of Jerusalem creates a Middle Eastern setting for this scene from Christ's Passion but the landscape is utterly Italian in inspiration and, following Renaissance precedents, it may have a symbolic meaning. The hill of Calvary associated with Christ's death is located on the right, in the earthly realm represented by the city. On the opposite side a palm tree stands in isolation, a symbol of the resurrection and of Christ's victory over death.

The unresolved dating question that surrounds this work is crucial to our understanding of Dyce's place within Pre-Raphaelitism. If this is an early work, then the detailed plant studies and observation of the minutiae of nature may be seen to anticipate the Pre-Raphaelites.

More About Me

Collections Wall

William Dyce often used elements of Scottish landscape in his Biblical paintings, such as the very un-Mediterranian elm trees behind St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary. Why do you think Dyce chose to do this?