Sketch for "The Assumption of the Virgin" (for St. James, Zbraslav, near Prague)?
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
unframed: 71.6 × 38.2 cm · framed: 85 × 51.5 × 6.5 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
European Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. N. Lester Farnacy
Accession Number
1955.165
Tags
About this artwork
According to Roman Catholic theology, the Assumption is the movement of the Virgin Mary's body and soul into heaven. Thus the central figure of the Virgin dominates this scene of the Assumption, outstretching her arms and supported by two angels as she ascends into heaven. Below, saints surround the Virgin's tomb. St. Peter reaches for the foot of the ascending Virgin, suggesting a connection between heaven and earth. Giovanni Battista Piazzetta created this work as a sketch for his larger altar...