\paperw4995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 ChristÆs lifeless body, which is wrapped in a shroud from the hips down, is at the center of the painting and is supported by Joseph o
f Arimathea. On either side of Christ, Mary and St. John bow in reverence, taking his hands in theirs, while his widespread arms evoke the Crucifixion.\par
The sky in the background is streaked with flat white clouds.\par
The cavity of the sepulcher is
visible in the rock behind the group. The profile of the slope echoes and amplifies the curved position of the figures at the sides of the painting.\par
Behind the Madonna, on the right-hand side of the picture, is half of a palm tree: a symbol of the
Resurrection. Other trees are visible behind the rock, at the sides, and are depicted in gradated perspective.\par
The composition of the scene is based on a central and symmetrical scheme which, along with the solidity of the figures, reveals the influ
ence of Masaccio.\par
Fra AngelicoÆs skillfully uses soft shades of color, which is clearly apparent in the flesh tones of Christ and the facets of the rock\par
This picture, which was painted between 1438 and 1440, was the central panel in the predell
a of the San Marco Altarpiece. It was acquired for Prince Louis in 1818.
