The Deposition

Tintotretto compresses various narrative elements: the body of Christ has been taken down from the cross an is being laid in the lap of Mary, who is sinking unconscious as though she were dead. In isolation on the right stands Nicodemus (?) as a compassionate observer, intensifying and conveying the tragic atmosphere to the viewer. The light, cool coloration and lively play of light and shadow point to an early date of creation, certainly before that of the larger version on the same theme in the Venice Accademia.