Why did Michelangelo leave 'The Entombment' unfinished? | National Gallery

Why would Michelangelo leave a work unfinished? It all (probably) has to do with a very expensive pigment. Courses and Events Programmer Caroline Miller and Gallery Educator Bethan Durie investigate with a close look at 'The Entombment'.

In 'The Entombment' Michelangelo depicts the moment that Christ's body is moved to the tomb, but he left this work unfinished. It's understood that he abandoned this work to create one of his best-known pieces, his sculpture of 'David'.

But how would Michelangelo have felt about having his unfinished work on display at the National Gallery? And what can we learn about his process from looking at this work, and other unfinished works by great artists?

🎨 Find out more about 'The Entombment': https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/pa...

🎨 Find out more about Michelangelo: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/ar...

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The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10am - 6pm and on Fridays between 10am - 9pm.

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