The Entombment
Guercino·1656
Historical Context
Guercino's Entombment from 1656 is a mature work by the Emilian master who was among the most important Italian painters of the 17th century. Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Guercino for his squinting eye, evolved from the dramatic chiaroscuro of his early style toward a more classical, Reni-influenced manner in his later years. The Entombment of Christ was one of the most frequently painted subjects of the Counter-Reformation, demanding both dramatic power and devotional tenderness.
Technical Analysis
Guercino's oil-on-canvas technique in this late work demonstrates his mature classical style with smooth, refined brushwork and a lighter, cooler palette than his earlier dramatic chiaroscuro. The balanced composition and dignified figure types reflect the influence of Guido Reni on his later development.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the smooth, refined brushwork and lighter, cooler palette demonstrating Guercino's mature classical style distinct from his early dramatic chiaroscuro.
- ◆Look at the balanced composition and dignified figure types reflecting the influence of Guido Reni on his later development.
- ◆Observe this 1656 Entombment — one of the most frequently painted Counter-Reformation subjects — demanding both dramatic power and devotional tenderness.
Provenance
Painted for anonymous "Cavaliere Veneziano," 1656 [acc. to Guercino account book, see Stone, 1991]. Colonna Collection, Rome by 1783 [no. 205 in 1783 inventory]. Sold from Colonna collection to Giovanni de' Rossi (Du Rubeis) [Mahon, 1968] after 1795 [listed in 1795 Colonna inventory]. Probably sold by Giovanni de' Rossi (de Rubeis) to Sir Simon Clarke, by 1802 [Salerno (1988), also engraved in 1802 by P. Fontana]. Probably sold by Clarke to James Irvine as agent for William Buchanan by 1803 [Buchanan (1824) pp. 117-118]. John Humble. Probably consigned by Humble for sale by F. C. DeBligney, London, March 15, 1809, no. 94 but likely bought in [Getty provenance index]. Sold at Humble sale, Christie's, London, April 11, 1812, no. 56 to Francis Charles Seymour-Conway, Earl of Yarmouth (later the 3rd Marquess of Hartford) for 430 guineas [Mahon, 1968]. Sold by Mr. Yates to Thomas Bulkeley Bulkeley-Owen (died 1867), Tedsmore Hall, Oswestry, England, 1818 [acc. Owen sale cat.]. Bought in, his sale, Christie's, London, April 30,1868. By descent to his eldest son, Bulkeley Hatchett Bulkeley-Owen (died 1868), Tedsmore Hall; by descent to his brother, Rev. Thomas Mainwaring Bulkeley Bulkeley-Owen (died 1910), Tedsmore Hall; by descent to his twin sister, Mrs. Rev. Edward Jacson, (Frances Marianne Eliza), Tedsmore Hall; by descent to her son, Rev. Owen Fitzherbert Jacson (died 1935), Tedsmore Hall; by descent to his son, Fitzherbert Edward Shallcross Jacson, Tedsmore Hall; by descent to his wife, Mrs. F. E. S. Jacson (née Ruth Henrietta Hanmer). Julius H. Weitzner, New York. Sold by Weitzner to the Art Institute, 1956.
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