Andrea del Sarto - Assumption of the Virgin (about 1526)

Assumption of the Virgin
about 1526
Oil painting on canvas (379x222 cm)
Palazzo Pitti, Florence

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The painting is divided in a physical and spiritual way, two large rooms characterize it: sky and earth. The Virgin ascends to heaven, surrounded by angels, while on earth the apostles watch the scene with great amazement. St. Thomas is characterized by his scientific spirit: I must ascertain and prove that Mary is no longer in her tomb and that she is actually taken up into heaven even with her body.

In front of the scene two important saints: Nicola and Margherita; the patrons of the donor and of the city for which the altarpiece was designed.

The painting is somewhat rigid, a typical aspect of the Italian Renaissance.

The Florentine painters enjoyed the fame of great draftsmen and Andrea del Sarto no less; there is no doubt that he made several preparatory drawings to achieve the desired balance.

Andrea del Sarto received many commissions in life, especially frescoes and was known as "the perfect painter".

Cold and unimaginative painter to tell the truth but unique and unrivaled in terms of technique and color harmony.

Comparing artists: Fra' Bartolomeo, Murillo, Perugino, Piero di Cosimo