Lamentation over Christ , Italian school of the 17th century

Lamentation over Christ of the Virgin with Magdalene
Entourage Pietro da Cortona
(Cortona 1596 – Rome 1669)

Oil on canvas
Contemporary gilded frame
Canvas 76 x 102 frame 90 x 117

This beautiful 17th century painting depicts the dramatic moment that sees the lifeless body of Christ taken down from the Cross and lying on the ground on a white cloth.
The Mother standing with her hands in prayer and the Magdalene kneeling and kissing the hand of Jesus, despair in excruciating pain. In the dark sky a light illuminates three cherubs.
Two little angels standing next to Christ show the symbols of passion and their naked bodies with lively complexions contrast with the reclining, elongated and bloodless figure. The play of light and shadow is very marked and the light-dark effect creates the volume of the characters, with a notable three-dimensionality of the scene as well as increasing its drama.
The painting must be placed in the Roman painting of the 17th century and reveals clear analogies with the works of Pietro da Cortona who influenced many of his contemporary artists in the capital with his ways.
A beautiful gilded and molded frame completes the work perfectly.
The last photo refers to the state of the painting before the small restoration interventions.