Assumption of the Virgin 

Pierre-Paul Prud’hon depicted the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven, surrounded by adoring angels. Her open arms and upward gaze are a powerful invocation of divine grace. Such gestures of supplication and ascent appear across millennia in various guises. Think of the orant figures in early Christian catacombs, their arms raised in prayer, or the ancient Egyptian depictions of the soul rising to join the gods. Mary’s pose echoes these older forms, yet it's transformed by Christian theology. The motif of rising, of transcending earthly bounds, touches a deep chord in the human psyche, a collective yearning for transcendence. It resurfaces constantly, each time imbued with new cultural and religious significance. The image engages us on a subconscious level, tapping into a reservoir of shared human experiences and spiritual aspirations. This symbol of resurrection and assumption is not linear. It has taken on new meanings throughout history, demonstrating its non-linear progression and evolution.