The Assumption of the Virgin (1526-1530) is a fresco by the Italian Late Renaissance artist Antonio da Correggio. It decorates the dome of the Cathedral of Parma, Italy.

This famous fresco portrays the Assumption of Mary to Heaven. The contract was signed by Correggio on November 3, 1522.

The dome decoration includes the decoration of the dome base, which represents the four protector saints of Parma: St. John the Baptist with the lamb, St. Hilary with a yellow mantle, St. Thomas with an angel carrying the martyrdom palm leave, and St. Bernard, the sole figure looking unpwards.

The Virgin is portrayed with at her feet number of angels (who sing or play several musical instruments) and apostles looking at the scene. In the group of blessed can be seen: Adam and Eve, Judith with the head of Holofernes. At the centre of the dome is Jesus descending to meet his mother.

This fresco (a painting in plaster with water-soluble pigments) anticipates the Baroque style of dramatically illusionistic ceiling painting. The entire architectural surface is treated as a single pictorial unit of vast proportions, equating the dome of the church with the vault of heaven. The realistic way the figures in the clouds seem to protrude into the spectators' space is an audacious and astounding use for the time of foreshortening.

Details

See also

• Vision of St. John on Patmos

External links

• Frescoes in Parma by Correggio
• Chronology of the Cathedral of Parma (in Italian)
• Page with several details of the dome frescoes

References

• Carolyn Smith, Correggio's Frescoes in Parma Cathedral, Princeton University, 1997

Correggio paintings | 1530 paintings

Assunzione della Vergine (Correggio)