The Death of the Virgin
Medium
oil on panel
Dimensions
76.8; 76.8; 57.5; 8.3; 56.6
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
buitenmaat: diepte 8,3 cm (drager incl. SK-L-6022)
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Death of the Virgin a poignant oil-on-panel masterpiece from 1500, attributed to the Master of the Amsterdam Death the Virgin—an anonymous artist named after this very work in the Rijks's collection. Measuring .5 cm high by 76.8 cm wide (with a frame depth of 8.3 cm including its support), this intimate panel captures a sacred moment from medieval Christian devotion: the Dormition of, surrounded by the Apostles as she peacefully passes into eternal life. Popular in Northern European art of the late Gothic period, the scene draws from apocryphal texts, blending tenderness with solemnity to evoke empathy and faith among viewers. Crafted in oil on panel—a medium perfected by Northern Renaissance innovators like Jan van Eyck—this painting showcases the technique's revolutionary potential for luminous glazes, intricate details, and jewel-like colors. The Master's style reflects the transition from Gothic expressiveness to emerging Renaissance naturalism, with fluid drapery, emotive gestures, and a richly furnished interior that draws the eye into the holy drama. Likely from the Haarlem or Amsterdam school, it exemplifies how anonymous masters contributed to the vibrant devotional art trade in the Low Countries. Housed in Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum (catalogue no. SK-L-6022), this work not only anchors the Master's oeuvre—helping attribute similar panels—but also highlights the cultural reverence for Mary's death as a bridge between earthly sorrow and divine triumph. A quiet gem for contemplation, it invites us to ponder mortality and grace in a single, evocative glance.
About the Artist
Master of the Amsterdam Death of the Virgin · 1470–1570
Comment on works: religious