Entombment
- Artist: Hans von Aachen
- Date: 1582 - 1605
- Medium: medium : material : oil & support : material : copper
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the “Entombment” by Hans von Aachen. The work dates from 1582‑1605, placing it squarely in the late Renaissance when painters were experimenting with new techniques and emotional depth. Aachen, a German artist who spent much of his career in Rome, brings a distinctly Italian sensibility to the piece while retaining a Germanic attention to detail.
The painting is an oil on copper, a medium that gives the scene a subtle, almost glass‑like luminosity. The copper surface allows light to penetrate the paint layers, creating a gentle glow that highlights the figures’ faces and draped fabrics. You’ll notice the dramatic use of chiaroscuro; deep shadows contrast with bright highlights, drawing the eye to the mournful expressions and the solemn act of burial.
In the foreground, a grieving woman cradles the body, her hands trembling. Behind her, a male figure—likely a priest—offers a quiet prayer. The background is sparse, focusing attention on the emotional core rather than decorative detail. Aachen’s brushwork is precise, with careful rendering of textures: the softness of flesh, the roughness of stone, and the sheen of metal. The overall composition feels both intimate and universal, capturing the moment’s sorrow while inviting viewers to reflect on mortality and faith.
See it in person
Entombment hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
