Entombment of the Christ

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The Altare del Santo group comprised twenty-nine distinct pieces of sculpture, all crafted from bronze except for the Entombment, which was carved from Nanto stone. Nanto stone, also known as Vicenza stone, has long been a popular choice for Veneto villas and gardens. Andrea Palladio, a renowned architect, is one of its most notable proponents. This material is extracted from mines near Vicenza to preserve the region's scenic landscape. As a sedimentary stone, it features fossils, shells, and oxide spots that enhance its natural beauty rather than detract from it. Nanto stone, like all sedimentary stones, is well-suited for sculpture and undergoes a natural hardening process over time. The Entombment was positioned on the rear wall of the High Altar, where several figures are engaged in laying a corpse onto a sarcophagus amidst considerable commotion. Four men in the foreground hold the body, while multiple women in the background exhibit ecstatic hysteria. The relief's surface is nearly filled with overlapping bodies and gestures, creating a scene of utter chaos.