About this artwork
This print, conceived by Jean Lepautre, presents a design for a tomb, a stage for potent symbols. Here, the Virgin Mary ascends to heaven, a dove—symbol of the Holy Spirit—shines above her. This motif echoes ancient apotheoses, where emperors were deified, their ascent mirroring Mary’s divine acceptance. Consider the winged angels adorning the tomb’s base, their presence a recurrence of classical psychopomps, guiding souls to the afterlife. The flaming torch that the angel on the right side bears transforms the space into one of transition, illuminating this threshold between life and death. Note how the classical winged figures re-emerge, now with an overtly Christian message, embodying this timeless human desire for transcendence, forever oscillating between grief and the hope of eternal life.
Onderboezem in de vorm van grafmonument c. 1656 - 1657
Jean Lepautre
1618 - 1682Location
RijksmuseumArtwork details
- Medium
- print, relief, engraving
- Dimensions
- height 210 mm, width 145 mm
- Location
- Rijksmuseum
- Copyright
- Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Tags
baroque
relief
figuration
history-painting
engraving
Comments
No comments
About this artwork
This print, conceived by Jean Lepautre, presents a design for a tomb, a stage for potent symbols. Here, the Virgin Mary ascends to heaven, a dove—symbol of the Holy Spirit—shines above her. This motif echoes ancient apotheoses, where emperors were deified, their ascent mirroring Mary’s divine acceptance. Consider the winged angels adorning the tomb’s base, their presence a recurrence of classical psychopomps, guiding souls to the afterlife. The flaming torch that the angel on the right side bears transforms the space into one of transition, illuminating this threshold between life and death. Note how the classical winged figures re-emerge, now with an overtly Christian message, embodying this timeless human desire for transcendence, forever oscillating between grief and the hope of eternal life.
Comments
No comments