Lamentation over the dead Christ. Engraving after P. de Champaigne.

Bible. N.T. Matthew 27.57-60; Mark 15.46; Luke 23.53. John 19.38-42. However, the episode of Mary's lamentation is not described in the Bible. The Virgin Mary weeps, looking upward, her palms stretched open before Christ's body. Joseph of Arimathaea holds Christ's body in a winding sheet. On the left of Mary stands Saint John the Evangelist, who will look after her from now on. On the right of Mary, Nicodemus holds a jar of embalming spices, aloe and myrrh. Beneath him kneels either Mary Salome or Mary (Jesus's female followers whose presence at the cross is mentioned); she holds one hand to her heart and the other offered palm outward. Mary Magdalene weeps tears upon Christ's feet, which in turn bleed from their wounds onto her hand. Her jar of ointment, with which she anointed Christ at the meal with the Pharisee, lies underneath. Next to it is a scroll, possibly the superscription nailed above the cross. At the same level, to the left, are four bent nails and the crown of thorns. The Virgin Mary and Jesus alone are haloed