Hulin de Loo, Georges: Early Flemish paintings in the Renders Collection at Bruges: exhibited at the Belgian Exhibition, Burlington House, January 1927 (London, 1927)

AN ANTWERP MANNERIST ABOUT 1520. 5353 STUDIO
OF THE MASTER OF GROOTE’S ADORATION 53 PIETA.
53 Oa\ panel : 60 centimeters high by 43 centimeters wide. 53
WE have here the last scene of the great drama. The
body of Christ has been carried to the garden
of Joseph of Arimathea near the cavern which
is to be used for the entombment : in order to make us
realise this fact the artist has been at pains to show us
that Mount Calvary is at some distance away; the holy
women and the faithful disciples are about to proceed to
the burial, the body of Christ is already laid on the winding -
sheet. On the left we recognize Joseph of Arimathea by his
rich velvet suit of a deep violet shade, with wide borders
and wide facings of grey fur; through the broad slashes of
the sleeves the rich brocade of the garment can be perceived;
his sumptuous apparel is completed by a dark blue bag hanging at
his side, big yellow topboots and a blue hat with green
facings and ornamented with a large jewelled brooch; then
comes Saint John in a red robe and mantle, supporting the
Virgin who is kneeling before her divine Son; she is wearing
a blue dress and mantle with a golden border; a white linen
cloth covers the head and falls down over the shoulders;