Entombment

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I'm so excited to show you a really cool painting today! It's called Entombment, and it's super old – it was painted way back in 1703! Can anyone guess how old that is? (Pause for answers). Wow, that's a long time ago! nn This painting shows a very important moment in a story from the Bible. It shows Jesus after he died. Sad, right? But the painting is beautiful, even though it's about something sad. It's not very big, only about as wide as a small table. But there's so much to see in it! nn Look closely at the colors. Do you see mostly dark blues, browns, and other earthy colors? What kind of feeling do those colors give you? (Pause for answers). Yes, they make the painting feel a little bit quiet and serious, like everyone is feeling very sad. See how the light shines on Jesus? It makes him look peaceful, even though he's gone. nn Now, look at all the people around Jesus. They're his friends and family. Can you see how sad they look? Their faces show their sorrow. Some are crying, some are holding each other. What do you think they're feeling? (Pause for answers). It's okay to feel sad sometimes, just like they are. nn The artist, Adriaen van der Werff, was really good at painting clothes. Look at how the fabric folds and drapes. It almost looks like the clothes are moving, even though it's just a painting! He also used light and shadow really well to make the painting look three-dimensional. It's like the people are really there! nn This painting isn't just about a story from long ago. It's about feelings that everyone can understand: sadness, loss, and love. It reminds us that it's okay to feel sad sometimes, and that even in sadness, there can be beauty and peace. What do you think about this painting? What is your favorite part? (Pause for answers). I'm so glad you came to see it with me today! nn