Death of the Virgin c. 1475 - 1477

Editor: Here we have Adriaen van Wesel's "Death of the Virgin," created around 1475-1477. It's a wooden sculpture, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The expressions of grief are so vivid. What do you see in the formal construction of this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the complex arrangement of figures. Note how the artist uses the density and layering of bodies to create a sense of claustrophobia, emphasizing the finality of death. Observe how the linear quality of the drapery creates a dynamic rhythm, while the subtle carving differentiates textures, from the smoothness of faces to the roughness of beards. The central void occupied by the Virgin functions almost as negative space. What impact does this have, do you think? Editor: It’s interesting that you mention that emptiness. I suppose it intensifies the focus on the surrounding figures. Their gestures seem to reach toward a void, highlighting the loss. Curator: Precisely. The artist uses formal elements – the interplay of positive and negative space, linear and textural contrast, density and dispersion – to articulate a deeply complex emotional landscape. Furthermore, the pyramidal composition, with the Virgin at its apex, could be considered symbolic of her ascent, framing this earthly demise as a movement toward another plane. Do you agree? Editor: That's insightful, especially thinking about the pyramidal structure directing upwards and providing an optimistic perspective on mortality. I was so focused on the grief, I missed it! Thank you for drawing attention to those elements, and their interplay. Curator: My pleasure. Reflecting on the work reveals how formal decisions create diverse narrative possibilities and evoke meaning.