This oil sketch for an oval ceiling illustrates the Assumption of the body and soul of the Virgin three days after her death. In the centre the Virgin Mary is being carried into heaven, where the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost) are waiting to receive her. St Joseph is holding a lily, and beyond him is the Ark of the Covenant. St John the Baptist is shown with his reed cross and a scroll. The apostles are gathered round an empty sarcophagus from where the Virgin has been assumed into Heaven.
There is no scriptural foundation for the story which featured in apocryphal literature and the Golden Legend.
- TitleThe Assumption of the Virgin
- Object numberB.M.448.A
- Collection
- Creator
- Production placeFrance
- Date1752 - 1752
- Production period18th century
- School/styleFrench
- Object name
- Material
- Technique
- Dimensions
- Length: 112 cm
- Width: 144.4 cm
- Length: With frame 132 cm
- Width: With frame 163 cm
- Depth: With frame 7 cm