The Entombment - Lucas Vorsterman I

A 1628 engraving by Lucas Vorsterman I, depicting the entombment of Christ after a design by Raphael.

This print by Lucas Vorsterman I, dated 1628, depicts the entombment of Christ. The composition draws from the work of Raphael, as noted in the Latin inscription at the base of the print. Vorsterman, a skilled engraver who worked closely with Peter Paul Rubens, demonstrates his technical proficiency through the use of varied line weights and cross-hatching to define the figures and the cavernous space.

The scene captures the moment of mourning as the body of Christ is lowered into a stone sarcophagus. The figures are arranged in a tight, sculptural group, their postures conveying the weight and solemnity of the event. The light source, though diffuse, creates clear contrasts across the musculature of Christ and the folds of the garments worn by the surrounding figures. The background remains dark, focusing the viewer's attention on the central action.

Vorsterman was a significant figure in the seventeenth-century print trade, known for his ability to translate the painterly qualities of masters into the medium of engraving. This work, produced during his time in London, reflects the influence of the Arundel collection, which held many works by Italian masters. The Latin text provides context for the dedication and the source of the design. The print is a clear example of the reproductive engraving tradition, where the engraver acted as a bridge between the original painterly concept and a wider audience of collectors. The precision of the lines and the balance of the composition demonstrate the high standards of the period, where the engraver's skill was measured by their ability to maintain the integrity of the original design while adapting it to the requirements of the copper plate.