The Ascension 1540 - 1545

This is a monumental tapestry titled 'The Ascension' by Michiel Coxie, created sometime between his birth in 1494 and his death in 1592. Its monochromatic palette is established by the woven materiality of the piece. Notice how the composition is structured around a strong vertical axis, drawing your eye upwards from the kneeling figures at the bottom to Christ, who is ascending into the heavens. The tapestry employs a sophisticated layering of forms. In the foreground, the figures are rendered with careful attention to their drapery, creating a sense of depth and volume. Behind them, a crowd of onlookers witnesses the event, their figures smaller and less defined, adding to the illusion of perspective. In the upper register, Christ is set against a cloudy sky and a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Coxie uses this visual structure to convey the theological significance of the Ascension. The rising movement symbolizes Christ's triumph over earthly constraints. The tapestry is not merely a narrative depiction but a carefully constructed statement about faith, elevation, and the divine order. It invites us to consider how visual forms can articulate complex religious ideas, and how the very structure of an artwork can become a means of expressing profound truths.