works

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Wellcome Café

Wellcome Kitchen

Wellcome Shop

To make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible, you’ll need to follow our safety measures inside our venue, including wearing a face covering unless you’re exempt. Find out how we're keeping you safe. You no longer need to book a ticket to enter the museum or library.

We’re undertaking research with website visitors to find out some more about you and what you thought about your visit. This survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your time!

What brought you to our website today?

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus drag Christ's body into a tomb. Three of the holy women cluster together, while Mary Magdalene kisses Christ's feet

Christ's body is carried to its tomb. Etching after Raphael, 1506-7.

Mary Magdalene caresses the corpse's hand and feet; her abundant hair is loose. Light beams from the Virgin's head. One angel props Christ up on the right and another clasps its hands in mournful prayer. The instruments of the passion lie on the ground: nails, pliers, a hammer and a crown of thorns

1 print : line engraving ; image 41.5 x 33.9 cm

The Virgin and Saint Mary Magdalene lament over the dead Christ. Line engraving by L. Kilian after H. von Aachen.

For the temptation, see: Bible. N.T. Matthew 4.1-11; Mark 1.12-13; Luke 4.1-13. However, this scene is not biblical. The angels at the top of the picture bring Christ a large platter of fruit. Below others pray to him and one brings a tray with a large garlanded jug. One angel bends low and kisses his feet; a small stove stands nearby. Réau reports that "D'après les 'Méditations' du Pseudo-Bonaventure, Jésus aurait demandé aux anges empressés à le servir de lui apporter le repas préparé par sa mère, dont il préférait la modestie cuisine bourgeoise à toutes les autres. "Les anges se rendirent chez la Vierge et recurent d'elle un petit ragoût qu'elle avait préparé pour Joseph et pour elle. Elle leur donna aussi du pain, une nappe et tout ce qui était nécessaire. Revenus près du Seigneur, les anges firent solennellement la bénédiction du repas" ('Iconographie de l'art chrétien' (Paris : P.U.F.), vol. II/II, p. 309)

1 print : etching with line engraving ; image 53.8 x 39.4 cm

Angels serve Christ with food after his ordeal in the wilderness. Engraving by J. Mariette after C. le Brun.

Bible. N.T. Matthew 27.34-50; Mark 15.24-37; Luke 23.33-45; John 19.18-34. The women are the three Maries: the Virgin, Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James the less and Joses. However, the presence at the cross of 'Salome' was also noted. One of the women moves to kiss Christ's nailed foot

1 print : etching ; platemark 23.4 x 15.5 cm

The crucifixion of Christ; the three Maries lament. Etching by P. B.

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

1 print : line engraving with etching ; platemark 45.2 x 36.2 cm

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

Bible. N.T. Matthew 26.47-51; Mark 14.43-47; Luke 22.47-50; John 18.2-10. Malchus is the bondservant of the high priest. In the distance on the right a soldier pursues a naked youth (Mark 14.51)

1 print : line engraving with etching ; platemark 11.6 x 7.5 cm

Judas kisses Christ and he is arrested; Peter cuts off Malchus's ear. Engraving after A. Dürer, 1508.

Bible. N.T. Matthew 26.47-51; Mark 14.43-47; Luke 22.47-50; John 18.2-10. On the left, Peter raises his hand to deal the blow to Malchus, the bondservant of the high priest

1 print : aquatint with etching ; platemark 24.1 x 28.1 cm

Judas kisses Jesus under a forest of flags, spears and lanterns; Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus. Aquatint with etching by C.M. Metz after B. Tisi, il Garofalo.

The three holy women lament over the dead body of Christ. Coloured mezzotint by V. Green, 1800, after Maria Cosway, 1799.

Bible. N.T. Matthew 26.47-51; Mark 14.43-47; Luke 22.47-50; John 18.2-10. Malchus is the bondservant of the high priest

Jesus is arrested; Peter cuts off Malchus's ear. Engraving, 1568.

"I was struck by the intensity of religious feeling in the whole group, and with the varied character in which this was expressed. Each person present devoutly kissed the glass of a frame containing a very bad print of the Virgin and Child."--Lewis, op. cit. p. 13

Wellcome uses cookies.

More filters

Active filters:

Christ's body is carried to its tomb. Etching after Raphael, 1506-7.

The Virgin and Saint Mary Magdalene lament over the dead Christ. Line engraving by L. Kilian after H. von Aachen.

Angels serve Christ with food after his ordeal in the wilderness. Engraving by J. Mariette after C. le Brun.

The crucifixion of Christ; the three Maries lament. Etching by P. B.

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

Judas kisses Christ and he is arrested; Peter cuts off Malchus's ear. Engraving after A. Dürer, 1508.

Judas kisses Jesus under a forest of flags, spears and lanterns; Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus. Aquatint with etching by C.M. Metz after B. Tisi, il Garofalo.

The three holy women lament over the dead body of Christ. Coloured mezzotint by V. Green, 1800, after Maria Cosway, 1799.

Jesus is arrested; Peter cuts off Malchus's ear. Engraving, 1568.

Saint Mary (the Blessed Virgin): people queuing in Vienna Cathedral to kiss the image of the Virgin. Etching by G.R. Lewis, 1822.

Stay in the know

Wellcome collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

Today's opening times

Wellcome uses cookies.

Search the collections

More filters

Active filters:

Christ's body is carried to its tomb. Etching after Raphael, 1506-7.

The Virgin and Saint Mary Magdalene lament over the dead Christ. Line engraving by L. Kilian after H. von Aachen.

Angels serve Christ with food after his ordeal in the wilderness. Engraving by J. Mariette after C. le Brun.

The crucifixion of Christ; the three Maries lament. Etching by P. B.

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

Judas kisses Christ and he is arrested; Peter cuts off Malchus's ear. Engraving after A. Dürer, 1508.

Judas kisses Jesus under a forest of flags, spears and lanterns; Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus. Aquatint with etching by C.M. Metz after B. Tisi, il Garofalo.

The three holy women lament over the dead body of Christ. Coloured mezzotint by V. Green, 1800, after Maria Cosway, 1799.

Jesus is arrested; Peter cuts off Malchus's ear. Engraving, 1568.

Saint Mary (the Blessed Virgin): people queuing in Vienna Cathedral to kiss the image of the Virgin. Etching by G.R. Lewis, 1822.

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

Today's opening times

Wellcome collection