Apostles and Angels at the Assumption (copy of the fresco in the cupola of Parma Cathedral)

Executed in tempera, the painting achieves a subtle depth through layered pigments, giving the figures a tactile surface. A restrained palette of blues and greens dominates, while the soft modeling of drapery and the delicate handling of light convey a sense of movement within the static medium.

Correggio’s design for the cupola fresco was adapted into this portable version, allowing the composition to be viewed beyond its original architectural setting. The work entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it remains on display.

The original fresco formed part of a larger decorative program in Parma Cathedral, illustrating the triumph of the Assumption within a Renaissance theological framework. Correggio’s approach combined dynamic composition with a harmonious color scheme, reflecting contemporary trends in ecclesiastical art.