The artwork “Assumption of the Virgin” is a classical religious painting by Nicolas Poussin, created around 1638. It is executed in oil on canvas and exemplifies the Classicism art movement. This artwork is housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, United States.
In the artwork, the central figure of the Virgin Mary is depicted being assumed into heaven, surrounded by a host of cherubs and angels. Her figure is elevated above an altar, and she is clothed in billowing robes of blue and red, the colors symbolizing her purity and motherhood respectively. Her arms are open, and her gaze is directed upward, signifying her acceptance of her glorious fate. The cherubs around her play various roles—some appear to physically support her ascent, whilst others bear witness to the miraculous event. The backdrop consists of classical architecture, providing a sense of grandeur and timelessness to the scene, and the use of light imparts a divine atmosphere, highlighting Mary’s holiness and the celestial nature of the scene. The clouds further accentuate the boundary between the terrestrial and the divine, emphasizing the transcendence of the Virgin into the heavenly realm.
