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The body of Jesus-Christ is already carried to the mouth of the sepulchre; Joseph of Arimathea and St John are preparing to place it therein, while the holy women are weeping around. This composition, often treated by many painters of all the schools, has received in Italy the name of Pity. The Virgin is always seen with two or three holy women all of whom bear the name of Mary. One of them is the sister of the Virgin, the wife of Alpheas, called also Cleophas, and the mother of St James the less. The second is the wife of Zebedee, the mother of St John and St James the great; she bears also the name of Salome. The third is Mary Magdalene, who is often confounded with the penitent woman that anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with the hair of her head.

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