The Burial

Description

Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1873

The body of Christ, wrapped in a clean linen sheet, rests on a wooden bier at the entrance of the tomb. Joseph of Arimathaea stands at the rectangular opening hewn from the rock and directs the placement of the body. Nicodemus makes the final preparations by placing the spices in the linen cloth that enfolds the body of the Lord, as was the burial custom of the Jews. The mourners stand near the feet of Jesus. John, holding the crown of thorns, is flanked by the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene. White flowers alongside the bier indicate the hope of the Resurrection.