The composition of the picture is influenced by a Rembrandt treatment of the 'The Lamentation over the Dead Christ' which was at the time in the possession of the British consul, Joseph Smith, in Venice, and might therefore have been known to Tiepolo. It is also closely related to another version by the same artist, 'The Lamentation at the foot of the Cross'. It may be part of a series of pictures on the Passion themes.