The Three Marys at the Tomb (or Hubert van Eyck) Jan van Eyck (1385/90-1441)

The painting depicts the biblical scene of the three Marys at Christs tomb. In the foreground, an angel, identified by its wings and halo, sits on the edge of an empty tomb and gestures towards the viewer. Around the tomb are several figures. Three women, presumably the three Marys mentioned in the title, are gathered on the left, each holding a vessel. One woman in a red robe kneels, while two others stand in green and blue robes. Two soldiers, presumably Roman guards, are asleep near the tomb, one armored and the other in green robes. They appear to be overcome by the supernatural event. In the background, a detailed and bustling cityscape with a castle and various buildings is visible, creating a contrast between the sacred event and the worldly realm.
The subtext of the painting lies in its exploration of faith, divine power, and the human response to the miraculous. The sleeping guards symbolize the inadequacy of worldly authority and human vigilance in the face of divine resurrection. The three Marys, with their offerings, represent devotion and their anticipation of seeing the resurrected Christ. The angels gesture can be interpreted as a divine announcement of the resurrection, drawing the viewer into the narrative and prompting them to believe. The detailed cityscape in the background can be seen as a representation of the world where this miraculous event occurred, implying its significance for all humanity. The overall composition and meticulous detail are characteristic of Early Netherlandish painting, emphasizing realism and symbolic meaning.