Dood van Maria 1629

This 1629 etching by Christoffel van (II) Sichem, titled "Dood van Maria" (Death of Mary), depicts the death of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by mourners and the figure of Christ in Heaven. The scene is set within a room with a window, through which the viewer can see Mary's ascension into heaven. This poignant work, now in the Rijksmuseum, reflects the somber yet devotional atmosphere of the Baroque period. The detailed hatching technique adds a sense of depth and realism, characteristic of the Dutch Renaissance. The image also features numerous angels, creating a sense of celestial presence and divine intervention in the momentous event.