Christ deposed from the Cross

The only surviving sculpture from a multi-figure group depicting the Descent of Christ from the Cross, a scene traditionally displayed on church forecourts during Holy Week. The complete group would have included the Virgin Mary, Saint John, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea lowering the dead Christ from the cross. Although few ensembles have survived intact, many examples exist of Christ with closed eyes, a bowed head, the body gently leaning forward, and arms outstretched. This sculpture was restored by the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione e il Restauro in Rome following damage to the limbs and nose caused by the 2009 earthquake.