The Ascension of the Virgin
1647–1726
Medium
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and gray wash
Dimensions
16-1/8 x 10-7/8 in. (41 x 27.6 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Priscilla deForest Williams, in memory of Jacob Bean, 1995
Accession Number
1995.32
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Ascension of the Virgin a captivating preparatory drawing by the Italian artist Gregorio de' (1647–1726). Created during the late Baroque era in Genoa, this work exemplifies the dramatic religious art that flourished amid the Counter-Reformation, where vivid depictions of sacred scenes aimed to inspire faith and devotion. De' Ferrari, known for his frescoes andarpieces, masterfully sketched this vision of the Virgin Mary's ascent to heaven, surrounded by angels and a prominent cross—hallmarks of Catholic iconography symbolizing triumph over death. Executed in pen and brown ink wit...