The Dead Christ Supported by Angels

Description This carved relief of the dead Christ was installed on the high altar, probably as the altarpiece, in the church of Santa Agata in Martinengo, outside the city of Bergamo. It was commissioned by the doctor Michele Tadini and installed in 1468. Christ's face is furrowed in pain, and he is mourned by angels. An image such as this on the high altar calls attention to the symbolic reenactment of Christ's sacrifice during the Mass. Images depicting the dead Christ standing erect as if he is alive are known as the Man of Sorrows.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
6/28/1971	Treatment	cleaned

Provenance Sale, Sangiorgi Galleries, Rome; F. Ongania, Venice [date and mode of aquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1909 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1909