The Deposition

The Deposition, once on the altar of S. Maria della Pietà in Lipari Cathedral in its classical iconography appears balanced and sober and is reminiscent of the panel of identical subject painted by Giovan Bernardo Lama for the church of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli in Naples.

At the center of the composition is the figure of the Virgin with the dead Christ on her lap just deposed from the cross, as indicated by the vertical pole, smeared with blood, and the stairs in the background. Among the weeping figures, it is possible to recognize St. John holding Christ’s right arm (whose hand appears to be in the act of blessing) and St. Mary Magdalene supporting legs and feet instead, with a cruet of perfume resting beside her.

Unknown, 16th cent.
The Depositon
Oil on panel - from the Cathedral of Lipari