Bronzino: The deposition of Christ (1540-1545)

(Musée des Beaux-Arts, Besançon, France)

A painting by the Italian artist Agnolo di Cosimo (1503-1572), better known as Bronzino. This altarpiece was originally commissioned for the chapel of Eleonora of Toledo (wife of Cosimo I de' Medici and the Duchess of Florence) in the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. However, shortly after the painting was completed it was given to Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle, a chief counselor of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, as a diplomatic gift. Granvelle installed it in his private chapel in Besançon. Bronzino made a copy of the painting for Eleonora's chapel in 1553. The painting itself is a pietà: the dead Christ is held by the virgin Mary. The apostle John supports the back of Christ while Mary Magdalene kneels on the right and supports the feet. Above are angels who hold the column where Jesus was whipped, the sponge, the lance, and the cross. The crown of thorns is lying in the dirt at John's feet. Painting from 1540-1545.