Iconography

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Treatment of a 16th-century Spanish Panel Painting

Iconography

The iconography found in this panel painting is standard for Deposition scenes.

Iconography 1

This group, found in the lower left of the image, depicts (from left to right): St. John the Evangelist, the Virgin, and Salome (the Virgin’s sister). Behind the Virgin we find Mary, the mother of James the Less and Joseph. (Before treatment.)

  

Iconography 2

To the extreme left of the image we find Joseph of Arimathea who holds the Holy Grail. To the left of him, in a yellow dress and loosened hair, is Mary Magdalen. (During treatment.)

Iconography 3

This is the figure of Nicodemus dressed in green who, along with Joseph of Arimathea, the three Marys, and Salome, is standard to Deposition scenes. Nicodemus is normally in direct contact with the body of Christ. (During treatment.)

 

Iconography 4

The patron or donor, wearing a yellow robe with a patterned undergarment, points towards the Virgin. The artist has chosen to paint a portrait rather than the highly stylized and formulaic renderings of the Biblical characters. This movement towards realism in Spanish painting is one of the hallmarks of the mid to late 16th century. The figure of St. Longinus stands behind the patron. He is typically portrayed in armour and holding the "Spear of Destiny". (Before treatment.)
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