Lamentation of Christ

The Lamentation of Christ^[1] is a very common subject in Christian art from the High Middle Ages to the Baroque.^[2] After Jesus was crucified, his body was removed from the cross and his friends mourned over his body. This event has been depicted by many different artists.

Lamentation works are very often included in cycles of the Life of Christ, and also form the subject of many individual works. One specific type of Lamentation depicts only Jesus' mother Mary cradling his body. These are known as Pietà (Italian for "pity").^[3]

^ In addition to "Lamentation" and "Lamentation of Christ", the terms "Lamentation over the Dead Christ", "Lamentation over the Body of Christ", and Lamentation of the Virgin are also used.
^ Schiller, 178
^ In English usually used for images showing only Mary and Jesus, but in Italian used for Lamentations generally.

[1] In addition to "Lamentation" and "Lamentation of Christ", the terms "Lamentation over the Dead Christ", "Lamentation over the Body of Christ", and Lamentation of the Virgin are also used.

[2] Schiller, 178

[3] In English usually used for images showing only Mary and Jesus, but in Italian used for Lamentations generally.

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