The Assumption of the Virgin

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Assumption of the Virgin*, a delicate etching by Geoffroy Dumoûtier, created around 1535–73. This intimate print, measuring just 8 15/16 x 4 15/16 inches, captures the triumphant moment of the Virgin Mary's ascent into heaven, a beloved theme in Christian iconography symbolizing purity, divine grace, and eternal reward. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, it entered the collection through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1937. Etching, Dumoûtier's chosen medium, was a revolutionary intaglio technique in the 16th century, allowing artists to draw fluid, expressive lines directly onto a metal plate with acid-resistant ground before biting with acid. This method produced rich tonal effects and intricate details ideal for devotional subjects like the Assumption, making complex religious narratives accessible and affordable for wider audiences beyond grand altarpieces. Dumoûtier's work reflects the era's fervor for Marian devotion amid the Catholic Reformation, blending spiritual elevation with the refined artistry of Renaissance printmaking. Gaze closely at this small treasure, and you'll sense the heavenly drama unfolding in every etched line—a testament to faith's enduring visual power.