'L'Ensevelissement du Christ'

Photograph of a work by Ary Scheffer, the prime version of which was painted in 1845 and is now in the collection of Manchester City Art Gallery (Inv. no. 1924.17). The painting depicts four women surrounding Christ's dead body. The Virgin rests her head on his left shoulder and extends her arms around his neck. Mary Magdalene further supports his head by lifting the drapery upon which he lies. The other two figures bow their heads in sorrow.

Ary Scheffer (and his studio) continued throughout his life to produce new works of old compositions on demand. His paintings were also widely reproduced as etchings.