The Assumption of the Virgin (or Immaculate Conception)
Painting on panel, likely presented within a later architectural aedicular frame • Circle of or Manner of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo; possibly Spanish or Italian School (Bolognese influence)
Style & Movement
Baroque / Counter-Reformation Religious Art
Medium & Technique
Oil on wood panel; employs sfumato for the atmospheric background, glazing for the blue mantle, and chiaroscuro for dramatic lighting
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th Century (Late Mannerism or Early Baroque)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 30 cm (central panel); Vertical portrait format with an arched top, set in a rectangular frame
Subject Description
The Virgin Mary is depicted in a moment of spiritual ecstasy, looking upward toward a divine light. She is surrounded by cherubim in the clouds. The composition utilizes a pyramidal structure, common in devotional art, symbolizing her purity and divinity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing age-appropriate wear and historical interventions
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $12,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; stylistic traits suggest a Continental European origin (likely Spain or Italy) for private devotional use
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of Counter-Reformation cabinet painting used for domestic devotion, showing the cross-pollination of Spanish and Italian artistic styles in the 17th century.
Notable Features
High-quality architectural frame with 'ebonized' and gilded elements mimicking an altar; the choice of wood support suggests a high-quality production for a wealthy patron.
Condition Issues
Lateral crack visible in the upper third of the panel; surface grime; minor losses to the gilded frame; slight yellowing of the varnish layer
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning of the varnish; stabilization of the panel crack by a wood conservator; UV-filtered glazing for the frame