plate no. 0412

The Assumption of the Virgin

Francesco Botticini, 1477

oilEarly Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresskylandscapereligious sceneangelsclouds

From the record

Dimensions: 228.6 cm high × 377.2 cm wide
Institution: National Gallery
Location: National Gallery, San Pier Maggiore, Florence, Nave of San Pier Maggiore
Inception: 1475
Materials: tempera, plaster

Mary
woman
Assumption of Mary
Jesus Christ
wing
apostle
saint
death

Wikipedia article Wikidata item Q323753

from the sources

The painting is an altarpiece that depicts Mary's assumption and was commissioned for a church in Florence. en.wikipedia.org
“It portrays Mary's assumption and was commissioned as the altarpiece for a church in Florence and is now in the National Gallery, London.”
The painting is now in the National Gallery, London. en.wikipedia.org
“It portrays Mary's assumption and was commissioned as the altarpiece for a church in Florence and is now in the National Gallery, London.”
The disciples are shown gathered around Mary's tomb, which is filled with lilies, and they look amazed. en.wikipedia.org
“The disciples gather around Mary's lily-filled tomb with looks of amazement.”
Matteo Palmieri, who commissioned the work, is portrayed as a donor kneeling on the left, with his wife on the right. en.wikipedia.org
“There are donor portraits of Matteo Palmieri, who commissioned the work, kneeling on the left, and his wife on the right.”
In the upper heavenly scene, Jesus blesses his kneeling mother while surrounded by the nine choirs of angels. en.wikipedia.org
“In Heaven above, surrounded by the nine choirs of angels, Jesus raises his hand in blessing to his kneeling mother.”
The mixing of saints with angels in the painting, together with Palmieri's poem, raised questions about the orthodoxy of Palmieri and possibly of Botticini. en.wikipedia.org
“Together with Palmieri's poem La città di vita, this mixing of saints with angels raised questions about the orthodoxy of the donor Palmieri, and possibly that of the painter Botticini himself.”
The painting is large, about 228.6 x 377.2 cm, and is made in tempera on wood panel. en.wikipedia.org
“The Assumption of the Virgin, 1475–1476, is a large (228.6 x 377.2 cm) painting in tempera on wood panel by Francesco Botticini.”
The source dates the painting to 1475–1476. en.wikipedia.org
“The Assumption of the Virgin, 1475–1476, is a large (228.6 x 377.2 cm) painting in tempera on wood panel by Francesco Botticini.”

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the sky and landscape.
step 03
Establish the basic forms of the figures in the lower scene, paying attention to their poses and drapery.
step 04
Begin to define the layers of figures in the upper portion, working from the back to the front.
step 05
Add details to the faces and hands of the figures.
step 06
Refine the drapery folds and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add the gold background and details in the upper portion.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and harmonious image.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · rose madder · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · gold

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Use rose madder and white for pinks, yellow ochre and white for the gold background. Mix greens with yellow ochre and blue.

techniques

·glazing
·underpainting
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing
·drapery rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details of the figures before establishing the overall composition.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the upper portion of the painting.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figures.