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Removal from the cross

Subject
Late Gothic retable depicting scenes from the lives of Mary and Jesus
Author, school, workshop
Wit Stwosz (ca. 1448-1533)
Contributor
-
Style
Late Gothic
Date
1477-1489
Type
Altarpiece in the form of a pentaptych
Material and technique
Wood/carving, gilding, polychrome
Size
2,5 × 2,3 m
Signatures and inscriptions
-
Identity number
-
Department
-
Links/analogies
-
Owner
Saint Mary's Basilica in Krakow
Copyright
Saint Mary's Basilica in Krakow
Location
Saint Mary's altar (by Wit Stwosz) in the presbytery
Description
One of the apostles Late Gothic retable depicting scenes from the lives of Mary and Jesus Wit Stwosz (ca. 1448-1533) Late Gothic Altarpiece in the form of a pentaptych Wood/sculpture, gilding, polychrome St Mary's Basilica in Cracow St Mary's altar (by Wit Stwosz) in the presbytery 2,5 × 2,3 m The scene of the removal from the cross is full of peace and tranquillity. The body of Jesus, laid reverently on a white veil, is embraced by his mother, frozen in silent pain at the loss of her beloved Son. Mary Magdalene took hold of the Master's forearm to anoint it in a moment with fragrances from a tin; after all, so recently, in Simon's house, she had poured oil on his feet and rubbed them with her own hair. The rich cap on the woman's head is probably a reminder of her former "worldly" life and the sins that have been forgiven. Off to the side, two stolid men, Jesus' secret disciples Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, discuss the details of the funeral.