“The position in the coffin” – an early unfinished painting by Michelangelo Buonarroti, which shows how the body of Christ, taken from the cross, is transferred to the coffin. Researchers point out in this work some contradictions with the traditional iconography of this plot, which make it difficult to unambiguously identify the characters.
St. John the Evangelist is usually depicted in red attire and with long hair. Hence, here he is to the left of Christ and participates in the transfer of His body, although, as a rule, he does not do this, but stands next to the Virgin Mary, supporting and comforting Her.
Other characters are probably Nicodemus and Joseph Arimafein. The kneeling figure on the left is apparently Mary Magdalene. The image of the Madonna is only outlined in general in the lower right corner, it is always – at the right hand of Christ.
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