The Three Marys at the Tomb

Dressed in 15th century Burgundian fashion three women stand by the empty grave. The angel tells them what has happened. The guards are sound asleep. The women carry bottles with ointment and spices to tend to the body of Christ.

None of the gospels describe the scene quite as Van Eyck painted it, but it is closest to Matthew. Only Matthew mentions the angel on the entrance to the grave and the sleeping guards.

Mark mentions Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James, as well as Salome and a young man sitting next to the grave.

Luke identifies the women as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, mother of James. Luke adds two men standing by them in shiny garments.

John only mentions Mary Magdalene visiting the grave.

For a long time this work was attributed to Jan van Eyck. Art historians now agree that it is more likely the work of Jan's lesser-known brother, Hubert.