The Assumption of the Virgin
The first time I visited the Art institute and walked through the halls, I saw many paintings and sculptures. One painting that caught my eye and stood out the most was called, "The Assumption of the Virgin," by El Greco. As I stood in front this huge painting I was trying to figure out what was going on in the painting. Right away I could tell that oil was used to paint this portrait because there was a shine on the painting. I refused to read the description of the painting at first until I came to a conclusion. I stood there trying to figure out what was taking place in and if I was able to recognize anyone. On the top part of the painting I could point out the angels and the women in the middle, at first glance I could tell that the women was Virgin Mary. As I was view the bottom part of the painting, I noticed that the men seemed confused as if they didn't know what was going on. Viewing this painting in person seemed very different from viewing painting online. I could clearly see how the artists used colors to make this painting stand out, and how he was able to show two scenes in one painting. Here are some facts about this canvas that I did discover thanks to my Art class assignment.
This Assumption belongs to an ensemble of eight canvases painted by El Greco for the high altar of the newly rebuilt conventional Church of Santo Domingo el Antiguo. The picture is dated 1577. It was made with oil on canvas, the size is 158 3/4 x 83 3/4 in. (403.2 x 211.8 cm); original image, approximate: 156 1/16 x 79 3/4 in. (396.4 x 202.5 cm). This painting represents the Virgin Mary rising to heaven atop of a crescent moon while a group of Apostles look at her from below. The Virgin Mary is shown in an interesting position in that she is seen from below while the Apostles are placed at the viewer’s eye level. The painting is divided into two spheres with the Apostles on the earth and the angels on the heaven. The...