The Lamentation of Christ

This is the right hand panel of a diptych by Hugo van der Goes. The left panel shows the Fall of Man.

The figures form a diagonal line suggesting movement from the cross towards the grave.

Christ is held by Mary, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus. Mary is held by John the Evangelist. The two crying women in the back hold the nails that were used to nail Jesus to the cross.

On the platter in the foreground are perhaps the mixture of myrrh and aloes that is mentioned in John's description.

The woman to the left is Mary Magdalene. Her posture resembles that of the portrait Rogier van der Weyden made in 1450.