This 15th century Provençal painting depicts the theme of the Pietà : the tearful Virgin holding the body of her Son over her knees. This group also features the figures of St John and the three Marys. In the foreground, Mary Magdalene is embalming the feet of Christ.
Covered entirely by a new painting, a landscape with Jerusalem most likely dating from them 17th century, the gold background was uncovered during a restoration.
The composition and several details are directly inspired by the painting on the same subject by Enguerrand Quarton for the charterhouse at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (now at the Louvre).
Loan from the Louvre, 1910.
Inventory no.: Cl. 18509
Height: 84 cm
Width: 130 cm
Place of production: Provence
Place of discovery: Château de Tarascon
Period: 3rd quarter of the 15th century
Techniques: painting; polychrome; restoration
