VAN KLEVE JOS – Lamentation of Christ with the Last Supper (predella) and St. Francis receiving the stigmata

The composition presents a complex narrative divided into three distinct registers, each contributing to a larger theological and emotional impact. The uppermost register is framed as a semi-circular lunette, depicting a figure in monastic habit raised towards the heavens, arms outstretched in an attitude of ecstatic devotion. Below him kneels a smaller figure, seemingly in prayer or supplication. A landscape stretches out behind them, populated with buildings and vegetation, suggesting a connection between earthly existence and divine realms. The inclusion of what appears to be a crucifix floating above the central figure hints at a moment of profound spiritual revelation.
The central panel dominates the visual field. Here we see a scene of mourning centered around a lifeless body laid out on a shroud. A group of figures, both male and female, surround this central form, their expressions conveying grief and sorrow. The woman to the left is draped in dark robes, her face partially obscured, while another figure raises her hands towards the sky in a gesture of lamentation. To the right, a man with a long beard gestures towards the body, his expression one of solemn contemplation. A small tree grows from a pot near the center, its branches reaching upwards as if mirroring the emotional ascent of those present. The background features a distant cityscape, providing a sense of scale and context for this intimate scene of loss.
The lowest register presents a horizontal arrangement of figures seated around a table laden with food and drink. Their faces are rendered with meticulous detail, each exhibiting a range of expressions – from solemnity to quiet contemplation. This gathering appears to be taking place within an enclosed space, suggested by the architectural elements visible in the background. The overall impression is one of shared experience and communal reflection, contrasting sharply with the intense emotional display of the central panel.
Subtleties within the work suggest a layered meaning. The juxtaposition of the ecstatic vision above with the scene of mourning below creates a tension between earthly suffering and spiritual transcendence. The inclusion of the tree in the central register may symbolize hope and renewal amidst despair, while the distant cityscape provides a sense of perspective on human events. The lower panel’s depiction of a shared meal could be interpreted as an act of remembrance or solidarity with those who are grieving. Overall, the arrangement of these registers suggests a meditation on themes of faith, loss, and the enduring power of communal bonds in the face of adversity.