Our Lady of the Assumption with Saints Miniato and Julian 1450

Andrea del Castagno’s *Our Lady of the Assumption with Saints Miniato and Julian* from 1450 depicts the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven, flanked by the saints Miniato and Julian. The painting features a realistic, almost sculptural rendering of the figures, characteristic of Castagno's style. Mary, clothed in blue and red, sits on a cloud amidst a golden sky. Her hands are clasped in prayer while her eyes are directed upwards, signifying her ascension. The two saints, in their richly colored garments, are looking towards Mary, creating a sense of devotion and awe. The depiction of the Assumption of Mary is a common theme in Renaissance art, representing her divine status and the triumph over death.