In the second half of the fifteenth century, numerous Entombment groups can be found in chapels throughout France. The sculptors Jean Michel and Georges de la Sonnette, two pupils of Claus Sluter, executed such a group for the hospital chapel at Tonerre between 1451 and 1454. Atop a huge sarcophagus the body of Christ is deposed by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. The other five figures between them are the Virgin and John, and the Three Marys (Mary Magdalene, Mary of Alphaeus, Mary Salome). The heavy draperies are characteristic of Burgundian sculpture. The figures are freestanding and placed behind the sarcophagus like actors on a stage.
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