The Assumption of the Virgin c. 1490 - 1500

This small, anonymous woodcut depicts "The Assumption of the Virgin" with striking visual economy. The composition is neatly divided into earthly and celestial realms, separated by a hill. In the lower half, figures cluster around the Virgin’s tomb. Their gazes, directed upward, guide our eyes to the angels who lift the Virgin Mary into the heavens above. The artist uses a limited color palette – primarily blues, browns, and reds – to create a sense of depth and emotional intensity. The angular lines and somewhat flattened perspective contribute to the print's overall sense of compressed space and heighten the scene's spiritual drama. The use of line, particularly in the drapery and facial details, conveys a sense of movement and emotional expression within this tiny scale. This print skillfully uses formal elements to convey complex theological ideas, inviting contemplation on themes of faith, salvation, and the divine.