Cornelis van Poelenburgh, um 1586 Utrecht – 1667 ebenda, zug.
MARIÄ HIMMELFAHRT
oil on copper plate rounded at the top.
60 x 34 cm.
In decorative frame.

The gospels report that the apostles buried Mary after her death and closed the tomb with stones. Christ appeared with angels and they rolled away the stone and called Mary to him for admission to heaven. The present painting depicts this moment: The apostles are gathered around the open grave and look into it, sometimes with wonder. On the left side of the painting, one of the apostles, standing in front of the remains of ancient columns, with outstretched arm and finger pointing, in a bright red cloak, points to Mary ascending into heaven in the upper part of the painting. In the upper part of the picture, which represents the heavenly realm, in contrast to the lower part, which represents the earthly realm, Mary is seen in a white robe with a blue cloak and folded hands on a cloud. She is surrounded by small winged putti on and between clouds. Above her, Jesus and God the Father, holding the globe in his left hand, both holding a golden crown over Mary. The upper end of the picture is formed by the Holy Spirit in the middle of a large yellow-golden cloud, in the shape of a white dove. Typical representation for the time in partly strong colours. (12211710) (18)