The Assumption of the Virgin

Francesco Conti 1681 - 1760

Summary

This painting depicts the assumption of the Virgin Mary - her bodily ascent into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. She rises from the tomb, accompanied by putti, who in this context represent the omnipresence of God. The Apostles recoil and stare in amazement at the miraculous event. Conti was born in Florence and studied in Rome with Carlo Maratti (1625-1713), who was the last major artist there to work in the classical tradition that began with Raphael. He was among several artists commissioned to work for Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, the daughter of Cosimo III de' Medici, on the renovation of the Conservatorio della Quiete near Florence (1721-28). According to Federico Berti (2010), this painting is an early work by Conti, probably dating from his time in Rome. An acquaintance with the work of Francesco Trevisani (1656-1746) is suggested by the lost profiles of the faces and by the silvery effect of the light.