The Entombment

This alabaster relief depicts the entombment of Christ. This relief originally formed the central part of a small altarpiece. Such altarpieces were produced in great numbers in the Netherlands and were also exported across the continent. Alabaster, a fine grained form of gypsum, is a smooth marble-like stone that was popular for the carving of religious sculpture. Softer than marble, it was much easier to carve and also considerably cheaper.