The Assumption of the Virgin c. 17th century

Curator: What strikes me immediately is the sheer emotion in those upturned faces. A mix of grief and awe, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Indeed. This print, "The Assumption of the Virgin" by Guillaume Chasteau, captures that very transition. Look at how the Virgin Mary is being lifted to heaven amidst a cloud of angels. Chasteau, born in 1635, clearly engages with established iconographic traditions. Curator: Yes, and the symbolism is quite potent. The empty tomb below, the apostles’ varied reactions—the whole scene is steeped in traditional Christian imagery and its emotional resonance. Editor: It's fascinating how such standardized iconography manages to evoke such varied responses across centuries. The visual language persists. Curator: The visual strategies employed to reinforce the cultural power of the church. These prints served a very specific purpose for the elite. Editor: Precisely. A reminder of both mortality and divine hope. Curator: Food for thought, for sure. Editor: Absolutely.