Mary's death 

Andrea Sacchi made this drawing, “Mary’s Death,” sometime between 1615 and 1661. Sacchi lived during a period of great religious and political upheaval. His artistic choices were influenced by the Counter-Reformation, which emphasized clear, emotionally resonant imagery. The drawing depicts the Virgin Mary on her deathbed, surrounded by the apostles and watched over by angels. As a woman, Mary's death is a complex image. It's a moment of grief, but also of triumph as she is assumed into heaven. Sacchi captures the raw human emotion of loss, while also pointing to the divine. The artist uses light and shadow to create a dramatic effect, drawing the viewer's eye to Mary's face. The male apostles show a range of emotions, from sorrow to contemplation. Sacchi develops an alternative narrative to traditional representations, by emphasizing Mary's humanity. Sacchi invites us to reflect on themes of mortality, faith, and the complex roles of women.