The Entombment (Titian, 1559)

The Entombment is a 1559 painting by Titian, commissioned by Philip II of Spain. In this painting, Tizian uses the mature style characterized by the use of broad brushwork and brilliant colours. The figure holding Christ body is Nicodemus, the Jewish elder that secretly visited Jesus at night to learn about his teachings. The figure of Nicodemus bears the traits of the artist himself. This could have been inspired by Michelangelo's idea in his unfinished Pietà from 1550, depicting himself as Nicodemus, supporting the body of Christ displayed in the Cathedral in Florence. The stone sarcophagus where Christ body is placed is decorated with depictions of Cain and Abel and the Sacrifice of Isaac - themes that according to the Christian faith predicted the sacrifice of Jesus.