Assumption of the Virgin 1657

Juan Carreno de Miranda created this painting of the Assumption of the Virgin with oil on canvas. The composition is dominated by the figure of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by cherubic figures and an ethereal, light-filled sky. This arrangement immediately directs our gaze upwards, evoking a sense of transcendence. The artist's use of color and texture plays a crucial role here. Notice how the Virgin’s robes are rendered with a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, creating volume that contrasts with the softer, more diffused treatment of the clouds. These textural contrasts highlight the formal structure of the artwork. The Virgin is located in the darker central area and the outer edges contain lighter cherubic figures. These figures are arranged in a semiotic system, with the clouds indicating heavenly status. Consider how this formal structure reflects a theological narrative. The Assumption is not just a visual representation but an articulation of hierarchical values and the means by which we perceive the divine. The painting challenges conventional meanings, instead using shape and color to destabilize a fixed view of the spiritual.