Hemelvaart van Maria c. 1610 - 1634

Editor: We’re looking at Willem Panneels’ “The Assumption of Mary,” an engraving made sometime between 1610 and 1634. There’s such a dramatic swirling motion throughout the composition! It definitely pulls my eye upward. How do you interpret this work? Curator: For me, it's a dance, Editor, a dizzying ballet of faith and Baroque fervor! Panneels, bless his heart, wasn't just rendering a religious scene; he was staging a celestial opera. You see Mary, not floating serenely, but ascending on what seems like a cloud of pure drama, a swirl of angels almost… transporting her. Did you notice how those below are reacting? Editor: Absolutely! Some are reaching out, seemingly in awe. Others are more… concerned? Curator: Concerned, perplexed, perhaps even a touch jealous! That’s the beauty of it, isn't it? It is about our own relationship with faith, our doubts, our longings, the times we reached and maybe didn’t quite grasp. And that upward thrust, the way all the lines lead skyward—it’s a masterclass in Baroque visual storytelling. Do you see elements that remind you of other art from that period? Editor: The dramatic lighting, perhaps? And the emotional intensity... Curator: Exactly! Think Caravaggio, Bernini, this is all from the same theatrical toolkit, repurposed here to express spiritual ecstasy. Although seeing this engraving gives a chance to focus on the emotional and directional composition of the drawing instead of color choices. Editor: It’s interesting how much emotional nuance he can get from ink. I will need to spend more time looking at those elements and composition overall instead of just looking at the characters! Curator: Well said! And perhaps, next time you feel stuck, close your eyes. Imagine what it smelled like. What emotions they’re processing. Art should bring us into the moment and offer us time and space. That is what I learned today! What about you? Editor: The historical context behind some stylistic choices really fascinates me and gives me the ability to bring some more meaning into the appreciation of artwork.