Geertgen tot Sint Jans – Saint John’s Altar, detail; right wing, inner side, Lamentation Kunsthistorisches Museum

The scene unfolds on a gently sloping hillside beneath a turbulent sky. A prominent wooden structure dominates the left side; it is clearly a cross, upon which a figure hangs suspended. The composition directs attention immediately towards this central point of suffering, though the narrative extends beyond it.
Below the cross, a group of figures are engaged in what appears to be an act of desecration or mockery. One man kneels over a prostrate body, seemingly attempting to dig into the earth. Several others stand nearby, some observing with apparent indifference, while one holds aloft a long spear. A ladder leans against the cross, suggesting recent activity and further emphasizing the violation of the scene.
The figures are rendered with a degree of realism in their clothing and physical features. Their expressions range from detached curiosity to outright callousness, contributing to an atmosphere of profound sorrow and injustice. The presence of a dog sniffing at what appears to be discarded bones near the base of the cross adds another layer of pathos; it suggests abandonment and loss.
The landscape itself is not idyllic. While there are indications of foliage and a distant castle on the horizon, the sky is heavy with dark clouds, mirroring the emotional weight of the event depicted. The hillside’s incline creates a sense of instability, perhaps symbolizing the precariousness of life and faith.
Subtleties within the painting suggest deeper meanings. The act of digging could be interpreted as an attempt to further desecrate the body or to search for something lost. The spear held aloft is a traditional symbol of triumph over adversity, but here it seems to represent a cruel victory achieved through violence and disrespect. The overall impression is one of profound grief compounded by deliberate cruelty; a lament not only for the deceased but also for the loss of innocence and compassion.