_Ciseri, Plate 156,_ portrays, if not "The grandest funeral that ever
passed on earth," certainly the greatest. Joseph of Arimathaea,
Nicodemus, and John the beloved carry the dead Christ. His mother,
Mary, the Wonderful, walks by his side. "Is it nothing to you, all ye
that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my
sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me."
(Lam. 1:12.) Mary, the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, and probably
Mary of Bethany, are the other mourners. "Now in the place where he
was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb
wherein was never man yet laid." (John 19:41.)
[Illustration: Christ Borne to the Tomb.]
Plate 156. _Christ Borne to the Tomb._ Antonio Ciseri.
_Hofmann, Plate 155,_ represents the company entering the rock-hewn
tomb. He composes his company differently. The four women are present
in the background, but now two of Joseph's servants have arrived to
assist the three men who had been carrying the body. There, in the
tomb, the body of Jesus was laid (John 19:42).
[Illustration: Entombment.]
Plate 155. _Entombment._ H. Hofmann. 1824-
_Hofmann, Plate 154,_ adds a human touch not found in the records of
the evangelists. The last to leave the body are John and the Lord's
mother, Mary.
[Illustration: In the Sepulchre.]
Plate 154. _In the Sepulchre._ H. Hofmann. 1824-
_Dyce, Plate 158,_ shows John and Mary with the crown of thorns, on
their way to John's own home. (John 19:27.) Joseph and Nicodemus are
just leaving the garden, while Mary Magdalene and another Mary watch
at the tomb. (Mark 15:47.)
[Illustration: John and the Mother of Jesus.]
Plate 158. _John and the Mother of Jesus._ Wm. Dyce.
_Dobson, Plate 157,_ has attempted to express the sorrow of Mary and
the solicitude of John as they continue the walk homeward.
[Illustration: John and the Mother of Jesus.]
Plate 157. _John and the Mother of Jesus._ W. C. T. Dobson.