Death of the Virgin (1639) by Rembrandt

Death of the Virgin - Rembrandt - 1639

Artwork Information

TitleDeath of the Virgin
ArtistRembrandt
Date1639
Dimensions31 x 38.6 cm
Art MovementBaroque
Current LocationMetropolitan Museum of Art (Met), New York City, NY, US

About Death of the Virgin

The artwork “Death of the Virgin” by Rembrandt, created in 1639, belongs to the Baroque period and is characterized as a religious painting. Measuring 31 x 38.6 cm, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, United States. As a work of Rembrandt, it reflects the dramatic intensity and emotional depth characteristic of the Baroque movement.

The artwork depicts a solemn and intimate scene centered on the death of the Virgin Mary. The composition is rich with figures gathered around the Virgin, who is lying on her bed surrounded by the apostles and other attendants. At the forefront, one can observe an elderly man, most likely Saint Peter, reading from a large book, perhaps the scripture, emphasizing the sacred nature of the moment. The surrounding people exhibit various degrees of sorrow and reflection, providing a window into the human response to loss and the divine.

Above the assembly, a group of angels hovers in the air, a suggestion of the heavenly recognition and honor being paid to the Virgin at the moment of her passing. Rembrandt has skillfully used light and shading to create a sense of depth and to draw the viewer’s attention to the central figures, particularly the Virgin Mary. The angels are rendered with a lighter touch, seeming to belong to a different, ethereal realm.

The richness of the scene and the careful attention to emotional expression highlight Rembrandt’s masterful ability to convey narrative through art, providing viewers with an opportunity to reflect on the gravity and spirituality of the depicted moment.

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