Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, a pair of terracotta sculptures

Sculptor active in Venice between the late 16th and early 17th centuries Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus pair of terracotta sculptures h 77.5 cm Modelled with attention to detail and extreme physiognomic care, the two figures are portrayed standing and dressed in a short robe. Joseph of Arimathea, who obtained permission from Pilate to remove Jesus' body from the cross, with the attribute of the nails in his hand, a long wavy beard, a sash tight at the waist and wide breeches held by laces at the ankle. A frowning gaze turned downwards. Prominent muscles and veins accentuate the power of the arms. Nicodemus, who with hammer and pliers removes the nail from the left hand of the dead Christ, wears a short curly beard. His face is stern and a band is placed diagonally across his chest. Both stand on rocky ground. The faces of the two figures, framed by the flowing beard that merges with the drapery of the robe, perfectly exemplify the artist's search for introspection. The two sculptures were probably made in Venice between the last quarter of the 16th and the first two decades of the 17th century and can be traced back to the circle of Danese Cattaneo and Francesco Segala, both stylistically related to Alessandro Vittoria, who like the master distinguished themselves by their outstanding portrait skills and the profound psychological investigation of the subject.