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
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.
This large painting on wood has been restored using bio restoration techniques.
Inventory N°: D7066
Artist: Unknown
Date: XVI century
Dimensions: 232 cm high x 218 long
Materials: Grease tempera, Canvas
Department:
Byzantine - Medieval ArtWishbook year: 2010
Total Cost
€ 18,000
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
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.
This large painting on wood has been restored using bio restoration techniques.
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 - After
© 2025 Patrons of the Arts
in the Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums V-00120,
Vatican City State (Europe)