This alabaster relief represents the Compianto or Lamentation, the scene that immediately followed the deposition of Christ’s body from the cross. It depicts the lifeless, but anatomically accurate body of Christ, surrounded by a group of mourning holy women. The central figure collapsing in grief and being supported by two shrouded women can be identified as the Madonna, her right hand falling with pathos upon the leg of her dead son. It is perhaps Mary of Clopas or Mary of Joseph who holds the Savior under his arms, propping him into a collapsed, but upright seated position, whilst looking heavenwards. Christ’s feet are embraced and wrapped by Mary Magdalene, the forgiven sinner who had washed his feet and dried them with her hair during the supper at Simon’s house. Behind are fragments of two figures, likely Joseph of Arimathea holding the crown of thorns to the left and John the Apostle or Nicodemus to the right.
