Tintoretto “Assumption of the Virgin” at the Accademia Galleries in Venice

Tintoretto (1518 – 31 May 1594) – “The Assumption of the Virgin”

Painting – Oil on canvas (240 x 136 cm) 1550–1555

Originally, this painting was housed in the church of San Stin, which was deconsecrated in 1810 and subsequently demolished; in 1814 it was transferred to the Accademia Gallery in Venice.

Tintoretto, The Assumption of the Virgin, at the Accademia Galleries in Venice, Italy

Assumption of the Virgin The Virgin is depicted at the top of the painting, with a twisting of her body that lends the composition a particularly dynamic quality.

The swirling folds of the Virgin’s purple gown and the billowing of her blue cape embroidered with gold bring the work to life and draw our gaze.

The Virgin leaves the tomb and ascends before the eyes of the faithful, surrounded by cherubs, with one foot resting on the head and the other on the shoulder of the cherub who supports her, lifts her up and carries her to the heavens.

Her gaze shows her already detached from the earthly world; she is no longer with us.

Some of the apostles are kneeling, others sitting or standing, but all have their gaze raised towards her.

The gestures they make, their hands expressing their emotions and the solemnity of the moment; they are all in a state of ecstatic admiration before the Virgin as she ascends.

Assumption of the Virgin