Lamentation of Christ

Rottmayr’s Lamentation of Christ reveals his training with Johann Carl Loth, who came from Munich.
Here the dead body of Christ, resting on his mother’s lap, is placed in close-up, in the foreground. Three blood-covered nails draw attention to his wounds, and to the preceding events on the hill of Golgotha, shown in the far distance. In bright light, the alabaster, anatomically perfect male body is surrounded by a harmonious combination of Venetian colours. Mary, overcome with grief, wears a red dress covered by the blue cloak which is her typical attribute. Swathed in iridescent red and orange fabric in perfect accord with her red-blonde hair, Mary Magdalene bows over Jesus’ hand. The other mourners, in baroque chiaroscuro, recede into the background of this moving scene.

DUCKE Astrid: Rottmayr Johann Michael, Lamentation of Christ, in: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas, OEHRING Erika: Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2015, p. 108