Manuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial G, from a Gradual
Medium
Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment
Dimensions
Overall: 12 5/16 x 13 9/16 in. (31.2 x 34.5 cm) Illumination: 7 1/16 x 6 5/8 in. (17.9 x 16.8 cm) Mat size: 16 x 21 15/16 in. (40.6 x 55.7 cm)
Classification
Manuscripts and Illuminations
Culture
Italian
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1911
Accession Number
11.50.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite manuscript illumination, created by the Italian artist Cosmè Tura around 1450–60, captures the Assumption of the Virgin Mary within a grand initial letter "G." From a Gradual—a liturgical book used by choirs during Mass—it depicts Mary ascending to heaven, surrounded by the Apostles gathered around her empty tomb, a poignant scene of faith and divine mystery. Tura, a master of the Ferrarese school bridging late Gothic and early Renaissance styles, infuses the composition with vibrant energy and intricate detail, highlighting his skill in miniature painting. Crafted in tempera, ...