Dormition of the Virgin 1443

Andrea del Castagno's "Dormition of the Virgin" (1443) is a fresco depicting the death of the Virgin Mary. The scene is set within an architectural structure with a central archway opening up to a cityscape in the background. The Virgin Mary lays on her deathbed in the foreground, surrounded by grieving apostles. Above her, a celestial scene depicts Christ receiving Mary's soul. This powerful and moving fresco exemplifies Castagno's signature style, known for its strong linear contours and dramatic use of light and shadow. The Basilica di San Marco in Venice, where it resides, provides a fitting context for this masterpiece of Early Renaissance art.