Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Saints

Artist: Unknown

Date: XVI century

Classification: Painting

Dimensions: 232 cm high x 218 long

Materials: Grease tempera, Canvas

Adopted By: The Texas Chapter

Total Cost: 18,000

Description

This fragile painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary depicts a beautiful and valuable representation of the Virgin Mary offering her sacred belt to the apostle, Thomas. The iconography in this painting was very well known in Tuscany at the end of the thirteenth century and refers to a story found in the apocryphal gospel of St. Thomas. The incredulous apostle Thomas arrives from India at the sepulchre of the Virgin Mary and finds it inexplicably empty. After, Thomas has a vision of the Virgin Mary.  In his vision, Mary appears to him offering her cincture as a symbol of the miracle of her perpetual virginity and thus, assumption into heaven.  The relic of the cincture of Saint Mary was found in Jerusalem before the Second Crusade and has been kept in the Chapel of the Dome since 1141 in Prato, Tuscany.

In this Assumption of the Virgin, the landscape in the background illustrates hills and mountains leading into the horizon. At the bottom of the composition, lies the sarcophagus from where the Virgin is prodigiously taken to Heaven by the Angels. Surrounding her are St. Rocco, patron of pilgrims and plague-stricken persons, and an unidentified female martyr at her side.  Both of these saints are painted in a frontal position to illustrate a sacred conversation among them. St. Bartholomew, patron of tanners and butchers, is also present. What little we can read of the style indicates a strong influence of the fifteenth century, but the face shapes and decoration on the façade of the sarcophagus, is evidence that this likely dates from the early sixteenth century. Unfortunately, the seriously damaged state of the painting does not allow a more detailed reading of the style and subjects.

Restoration Procedures

This large painting on wood has been restored using bio restoration techniques.

Detail

Adopted By:

The Texas Chapter

Patrons:

Mr. Erich Koenig

Inventory N°: D7066

Artist: Unknown

Date: XVI century

Dimensions: 232 cm high x 218 long

Materials: Grease tempera, Canvas

Wishbook year: 2010

Painting
Unknown
XVI century
Grease tempera

Total Cost

18,000

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Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Saints

Details

Adopted by: The Texas Chapter

Patrons: Mr. Erich Koenig

Inventory: D7066

Artist: Unknown

Date: XVI century

Classification: Painting

Materials: Grease tempera, Canvas

Dimensions: 232 cm high x 218 long

Department: Byzantine - Medieval Art

Wishbook year: 2010

Description

This fragile painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary depicts a beautiful and valuable representation of the Virgin Mary offering her sacred belt to the apostle, Thomas. The iconography in this painting was very well known in Tuscany at the end of the thirteenth century and refers to a story found in the apocryphal gospel of St. Thomas. The incredulous apostle Thomas arrives from India at the sepulchre of the Virgin Mary and finds it inexplicably empty. After, Thomas has a vision of the Virgin Mary.  In his vision, Mary appears to him offering her cincture as a symbol of the miracle of her perpetual virginity and thus, assumption into heaven.  The relic of the cincture of Saint Mary was found in Jerusalem before the Second Crusade and has been kept in the Chapel of the Dome since 1141 in Prato, Tuscany.

In this Assumption of the Virgin, the landscape in the background illustrates hills and mountains leading into the horizon. At the bottom of the composition, lies the sarcophagus from where the Virgin is prodigiously taken to Heaven by the Angels. Surrounding her are St. Rocco, patron of pilgrims and plague-stricken persons, and an unidentified female martyr at her side.  Both of these saints are painted in a frontal position to illustrate a sacred conversation among them. St. Bartholomew, patron of tanners and butchers, is also present. What little we can read of the style indicates a strong influence of the fifteenth century, but the face shapes and decoration on the façade of the sarcophagus, is evidence that this likely dates from the early sixteenth century. Unfortunately, the seriously damaged state of the painting does not allow a more detailed reading of the style and subjects.

Restoration Procedures

This large painting on wood has been restored using bio restoration techniques.

Media

Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Saints - Before Restoration

Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Saints - Before Restoration

Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Saints - Restorer Marco Pratelli working on the painting

Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Saints - Restorer Marco Pratelli working on the painting

Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Saints - After

Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Saints - After