Assumption Art Series: Rubens

 

Today we see an early 17th century depiction of the Assumption. It is Peter Paul Rubens' Assumption of the Virgin.  It is oil on panel, measures 16 feet by 10.6 feet, and is found at its original site in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium.

Rubens painted in the Baroque style and is known for his affirmation of Catholic doctrine during the latter years of the Counter-Reformation.  This is particularly interesting because although he was born into a Catholic family, his father converted to Protestantism and then his mother converted the family back to Catholicism after his father's death. 

This artwork contains the elements we have seen earlier in this series of Mary in her glorified body being assumed into heaven while the apostles ponder her absence from her tomb or casket.  In this case, the artwork shows the three Marys (Mary Magdalene, Mary Cleophas and Mary Salome) gathering blooms of roses and lilies that have blossomed in Our Lady's empty tomb.

Rubens did many versions of this topic, one of which is in the Kunstplast Museum in Dusseldorf, Germany but this is the one that art historians and commentators generally favor.  

Since today is the feast day, here is a link to the traditional Mass propers at Usus Antiquoir.

Assumption Art Series: El Greco

 

Here we have El Greco's Assumption of the Virgin. This late 16th century artwork is oil on canvas and measures, in round numbers, 159 inches by 83 inches.  It was the central element of an altarpiece commissioned for the church of Santo Domingo el Antiguo in Toledo, Spain, a cloistered Cistercian convent. The painting hung over the main altar.  It is now found in the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, USA.

This artwork, like Titian's, shows Mary joyfully being assumed into heaven. As one can see, this painting includes the element of the Apostles standing by Our Lady's empty casket in astonishment.  This event is portrayed in many other artworks but this one seems to show it with unusual clarity.  When one remembers that El Greco initially trained as a icon artist, this is particularly remarkable.

This painting transferred ownership many times before being received by the Art Institute of Chicago.  One can read about its journey at the above link.

Assumption Art Series: Correggio

 

This 16th century late Italian Renaissance fresco is The Assumption of the Virgin by Correggio.  It covers the dome of the Cathedral in Parma, Italy. The fresco measures 11.9 yards by 13 yards. Aside from Jesus, Mary, angels, and the Apostles, it depicts Adam, Eve, and Judith with the head of Holofernes. 

It was painted during the first decade of the Protestant Reformation. Some commentators point out that it affirms Catholic doctrines that the Reformation attacked:

Transubstantiation:  Protestants deny the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and view the liturgy as only a memorial. The fresco shows Christ descending toward the high altar. And, when the priest elevates the Eucharist, the eyes of the faithful are drawn toward the depiction of heaven on the dome. Thus the artwork can be seen as affirming that the sacrifice on earth is also happening in eternity and that Christ is truly present in the consecrated species.

Mary's role:  Protestants deny Mary's role, claiming "Sola  Christo" (Christ alone).  The image of Mary on the dome shows her in her glorified body rising toward heaven.  (And, we know that there she will continue her role as our mediatrix of graces.  (Pope Pius X, Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum (1904), Paragraph 14 - Note that readers will need to scroll down to paragraph 14 at this Vatican page).

Church hierarchy:  Protestants deny the importance of the church hierarchy, claiming "Sola Scriptura" (scripture alone). The fresco shows that the Apostles along with scripture are the foundation and pillars of the Church (1 Tim.3:15).  At the same time, we proclaim that Christ is the anchor (Heb. 6:19) or cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).

It should also be noted that Italy was in turmoil at the time (the Italian Wars), which is a topic way too complex to describe here.