Assumption of the Virgin
- Artist: Francesco Solimena
- Date: (before) 1725
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the Assumption of the Virgin by Francesco Solimena. The canvas is large, almost theatrical, and it was created as a preparatory sketch for several workshop versions that Solimena would later produce. Think of it as a master class in chiaroscuro: the artist concentrates on the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, using a restrained palette to lift the figures off the background.
At the heart of the composition is the empty tomb, a subtle but powerful symbol that triggers the apostles’ reactions. Their poses are almost stage‑like, captured mid‑gesture, with facial expressions ranging from stunned awe to gentle wonder. Solimena’s skill lies in compressing that emotional intensity into a single, cohesive moment. The apostolic crowd seems to rise around Mary, almost as if the whole canvas is breathing with the event.
The work dates from before 1725, an oil on canvas that showcases Solimena’s early mastery of dramatic composition. The sketch’s scale and the artist’s focus on light make it a compelling study of anticipation and revelation.
See it in person
Assumption of the Virgin hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
