Jacopo di Cione and workshop – The Maries at the Sepulchre Part 4 National Gallery UK

The composition presents a scene unfolding within a defined architectural space, dominated by a tomb or sarcophagus centrally positioned. Figures are arranged in tiers, creating a hierarchical visual structure. At the base, a scattering of floral elements suggests a garden setting, though their stylized rendering prioritizes decorative effect over naturalism.
Several figures surround the central figure seated within the tomb. These individuals, identifiable as women by their garments and gestures, appear to be engaged in an act of lamentation or contemplation. Their expressions are restrained, conveying sorrow through posture rather than overt emotional display. The artist has rendered them with elongated proportions and a certain degree of formality, characteristic of the period’s aesthetic conventions.
Flanking these figures are two additional male figures, distinguished by their halos and garments suggesting a divine status. One figure extends his hand in what appears to be a gesture of blessing or reassurance towards the central figure within the tomb. The other stands with a more passive posture, observing the scene. Their presence introduces an element of spiritual intervention into the narrative.
The background is structured around a landscape featuring stylized hills and trees silhouetted against a luminous, golden expanse. This upper portion of the painting creates a sense of depth while simultaneously emphasizing the otherworldly nature of the event depicted. The gold leaf employed in this area contributes to a feeling of reverence and transcendence.
Subtleties within the work suggest an exploration of themes beyond the immediate narrative. The contrast between the earthly realm, represented by the tomb and surrounding landscape, and the celestial sphere, embodied by the golden background, highlights the tension between mortality and divinity. The restrained emotionality of the figures may be interpreted as a reflection of the period’s emphasis on piety and spiritual contemplation over overt displays of emotion. The compositions vertical format reinforces a sense of solemnity and elevates the scene to a symbolic plane.