The artwork “Entombment” is an exemplar of the Baroque period, crafted by the renowned artist Peter Paul Rubens around the year 1615. Employing ink on paper as his medium, Rubens created this piece with dimensions measuring approximately 22.2 by 15.3 cm. While it is categorized under genre painting, the artwork exemplifies the dramatic style and emotional intensity typical of the Baroque movement.
The composition of the artwork is a dynamic and somber representation of a burial scene. At the center, a lifeless figure is carefully attended to by several individuals who exhibit visible expressions of grief and solemnity. Their faces and postures convey a profound sense of loss and compassion. The stark use of fluid ink lines along with the contrast between light and shaded areas accentuates the emotional depth of the piece. The flowing draperies and the depiction of the human forms provide an intricate illustration of Rubens’ skill in rendering the complexity of human emotions and physicality in such a condensed format. This intense focus on the emotional and physical strife reflects the heightened sense of drama that is central to Baroque art.
