The Ascension of the Virgin 1647 - 1726

Gregorio de' Ferrari rendered this drawing, "The Ascension of the Virgin," using pen and brown ink with gray wash on paper. The upward movement of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by a flurry of angels and ascending from a classical architectural base, immediately draws the eye. The composition is structured around a strong diagonal, reinforced by the Virgin’s ascent into a burst of divine light at the top. Ferrari masterfully uses the wash to create depth and volume, especially in the billowing clouds and the figures' drapery, giving a sense of dynamism and ethereal quality to the scene. Notice how the artist uses light and shadow, not merely to depict form, but to guide the viewer’s gaze, structuring the narrative within the artwork itself. This drawing serves as more than a religious depiction; it's an exploration of form, movement, and the interplay of light and shadow. The deliberate arrangement of figures and the treatment of space invite us to consider how Ferrari used these formal elements to construct meaning and evoke emotion, leaving us with an enduring visual and spiritual experience.