The Assumption of the Virgin c. 1630 - 1632

Nicolas Poussin’s *Assumption of the Virgin* is an oil painting, a medium allowing for rich color and careful layering. Look closely, and you'll notice how the paint mimics the weight of the scene. The Virgin Mary is buoyed up by a mass of plump cherubs, rendered with palpable volume. The artist has carefully considered how the pigment is applied to evoke the softness of flesh and fabric, and the way light plays across surfaces. This is no accident. Poussin studied classical sculpture and architecture, translating their solidity into paint, and bringing a tactile dimension to this heavenly scene. Oil paint allowed Poussin to blend and glaze, building up the composition in stages. The entire process required careful preparation of the canvas, grinding of pigments, and slow, deliberate execution. By investing so much manual effort, Poussin elevated the status of painting, aligning it with other prestigious forms of skilled production. And this is important because ultimately, Poussin demonstrates that the most impactful art arises from the fusion of concept, material, and meticulous craft.