Giovanni della Robbia (Florence, 1469 - 1529-1530)
Lamentation over the Dead Christ, about 1515
Glazed and polychromed terracotta , 250 x 160 cm (98 7/16 x 63 in.)
General admission for children 17 years and under is always free
This scene is composed of glazed and polychromed terracotta. The lower third of the colorful piece shows the light-skinned body of Christ extended across the lap of the light-skinned Virgin Mary. Christ’s wounds are visible in his side and on his hands and feet. His right arm falls toward the ground, while his left hand rests on his right hip bone. His waist is covered by a cloth. There is a ledge below the body of Christ. The Virgin Mary has a halo and wears a brown gown and blue veil covering her head and hair. Her hands are clasped in prayer, her gaze on the body of Christ. On our left, a light-skinned figure cradles the head of Christ. The person has a halo, shoulder-length brown hair, a green gown and blue shawl. On our right at the feet of Christ is another haloed female figure in a dark blue gown, with long blonde hair and a green shawl. She holds a small urn in her left hand and her right hand is on her chest. Above all of these figures, there is a brown crucifix. Two light-skinned angels dressed in white robes, one on each side of the cross, hold a white cloth across the cross with the face of a bearded man on it. A crown of thorns hangs at the top of the crucifix along with a scroll that is inscribed with ‘INRI’. The sun and the moon are seen at the very top. There is a skull and cross bone visible at the base of the crucifix. In the distance, two crucifixes can be seen on a hill and a seated angel is seen with three robed figures. The frame that outlines this scene is arched and highly decorated with a floral and fruit vine motif. There is a dove casting golden rays at the center top. There is a small swag edging along the outer rim. Below the ledge holding the body of Christ, there is Latin text framed in gold. There is a haloed male figure in the left and right bottom corners.
Long Gallery
Commentary
The Della Robbia family was one of the most successful artistic dynasties in Renaissance Florence. Over more than a century, Luca, his nephew Andrea and grand-nephew Giovanni supplied a flourishing market for terracotta sculpture. Thanks to an innovative glazing technique, their reliefs offered a durable and popular alternative to painting on panel or in fresco. Modular construction helped to drive the success of the family brand. This Lamentation consists of 36 pieces. Fired separately and assembled on-site, Della Robbia sculpture suited distant or difficult-to-access location. The original destination of this example is unknown.