Where to See Holy Women at Christ' s Tomb in St. Petersburg

Annibale Carracci completed this dramatic Baroque scene around 1597-98, depicting the moment Mary Magdalene and two other women discover Christ's empty tomb. An angel sits on the stone sarcophagus, explaining the resurrection to the astonished figures. The composition brilliantly synthesizes classical sculpture, Raphael's Vatican tapestries, and the dramatic lighting that defined Roman Baroque painting.

The work was commissioned by Lelio Pasqualini, a Roman canon at Santa Maria Maggiore who maintained one of the era's notable antiquarian collections. Scholars believe the painting's unusual composition reflects Pasqualini's classical interests. The canvas measures 121 by 145.5 centimeters.

After passing through the W. Coesvelt collection in London, the painting entered the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg in 1836. It remains one of the finest examples of Carracci's religious work, showing his masterful blending of Renaissance traditions with Baroque emotion.

This painting hangs at the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The museum acquired it in 1836 from the W. Coesvelt collection in London.

The painting depicts the Three Marys at Christ's tomb on Easter morning. They arrive with anointing oils only to find the tomb empty and an angel explaining Jesus has risen.

Lelio Pasqualini, a canon at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, commissioned the work. He was an avid antiquarian collector, and scholars believe his classical interests influenced the painting's unusual composition.

The canvas measures 121 x 145.5 cm (approximately 48 x 57 inches). Annibale Carracci created it in oil on canvas around 1597-98.

This painting hangs at the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The museum acquired it in 1836 from the W. Coesvelt collection in London.

The painting depicts the Three Marys at Christ's tomb on Easter morning. They arrive with anointing oils only to find the tomb empty and an angel explaining Jesus has risen.

The canvas measures 121 x 145.5 cm (approximately 48 x 57 inches). Annibale Carracci created it in oil on canvas around 1597-98.

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