Agnolo Tori il Bronzino, "Deposition of Christ" at the Accademia Gallery in Florence

Deposition of Christ Painting — Oil on wood (349 x 254 cm) 1561

This large painting made in 1561 was commissioned in Bronzino by Duke Cosimo I of Medici to be installed in the church of Frati Minori Osservanti de Portoferraio on the island of Elba.

Its transport, given the large size of the work, was carried out by boat. First on the Arno from Florence and then at sea from Livorno.

The bearded and elderly man in the upper left part of the painting is none other than Bronzino himself, who made his self-portrait here.

At the top of the painting, Jesus descended from the cross, and one can still see on either side of him the two crucified thieves.

Deposition of Christ The deplored Virgin holds one of her son's arms while a woman tries to relieve her pain by supporting her.

The gaze of the Virgin, looking towards the sky, is particularly poignant.

Saint John the Baptist sits behind Christ and supports his body with one hand.

Mary Magdalene takes the hand of Christ in her own and holds her arm.

Bronzino used green and dark tones to emphasize the drama of the scene.

The most apparent element of the painting, thus highlighted, is the body of Christ.

Andrea del Sarto

“Christ in Piety”, a fresco dating from 1525 that stood in the novices' area of the convent of Santissima Annuziata in Florence.

The position of Christ, his hands pierced, as if lifeless, resting on the stone of the tomb, expresses with great intensity the drama of death and grief.

Bernardo Daddi

This crucifixion, painted in 1340-1345, probably comes from the Florentine church of San Donato in Polverosa. It is a type of crucifix that, in the Middle Ages, was hung on the wall separating the presbytery from the choir.

Anton Domenico Gabbiani

Grand Prince Ferdinando de' Medici is shown here on the right-hand side of the painting, standing in a green and gold suit, his face turned towards the singer Vincenzo Olivicciani on his left.

Behind him, Gabbiani depicted a bust of Georg Friedrich Händel, who was a friend of Ferdinand de Medici.

The young musician with the zither is undoubtedly Giovanbattista Gigli, a composer and lutenist who was a member of Ferdinand de Medici's court from 1685.

Deposition of Christ

Andrea del Sarto

Bernardo Daddi

Anton Domenico Gabbiani