Assumption of the Virgin (The Girdle of Thomas)
Painting, Arched Altarpiece Panel • Fra Bartolomeo (Baccio della Porta) or Mariotto Albertinelli (collaborative circle)
Style & Movement
High Renaissance (Florentine School)
Medium & Technique
Oil on wood panel; employs sfumato for atmosphere, chiaroscuro for volume, and glazes for saturated, vibrant textiles.
Creation Period
Circa 1515–1520
Dimensions & Format
Large scale (approx. 300 x 200 cm), vertical format with a semi-circular arched top (lunette).
Subject Description
The Virgin Mary ascends in a glory of cherubs, dropping her sacred girdle (Sacra Cintola) to the doubting St. Thomas below. The Apostles are gathered around an empty tomb in a pastoral landscape, showing reactions of awe, prayer, and contemplation.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair; stable but showing effects of age and historical restoration.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000,000 – $7,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,500,000 – $6,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely commissioned for a church in Tuscany (possibly Florence or Lucca); historical records suggest typical transitions through ecclesiastical collections to museum/gallery status.
Art Historical Significance
A major example of the High Renaissance synthesis of monumental form and spiritual grace. Fra Bartolomeo was a crucial peer to Raphael and Leonardo, influencing the transition toward Mannerism through his complex figure groupings.
Notable Features
The distinctive notched out-cut at the bottom center of the panel, likely designed to fit around a specific architectural feature or tabernacle in its original location.
Condition Issues
Visible vertical cracks (checking) in the wood support consistent with aging. Significant abraided areas in the sky/upper portion. Possible over-cleaning of the face of the Virgin and some minor retouching in the lower drapery.
Conservation Recommendations
Climate-controlled environment (stable humidity) to prevent further wood expansion; UV-filtered lighting; surface cleaning by a professional conservator to remove oxidized varnish.