Who painted The Dormition of the Virgin?

The Dormition of the Virgin was painted by Girolamo da Treviso the Younger in 1533.

Where can I see The Dormition of the Virgin?

The Dormition of the Virgin is held by Walters Art Museum.

What movement is The Dormition of the Virgin?

The Dormition of the Virgin is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

The Dormition of the Virgin

Girolamo da Treviso the Younger , 1533

The Dormition of the Virgin is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Girolamo da Treviso the Younger. It dates from 1533 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Girolamo da Treviso the Younger painted *The Dormition of the Virgin* in 1533, an oil work now held by the Walters Art Museum. The composition captures the moment of the Virgin Mary’s death and her ascent, arranging a crowded group of mourners, angels, and celestial figures around a central, recumbent female form.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays the traditional Christian narrative of Mary’s passing, known as the Dormition, and her subsequent assumption into heaven. The central figure lies on a bed, surrounded by grieving witnesses, while an angelic being with expansive wings and a sword lifts her upward, suggesting divine transition from earthly life to heavenly glory.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting reflects the Mannerist aesthetic prevalent in the early sixteenth century. Girolamo employs elongated figures, exaggerated poses, and a dynamic arrangement that creates a sense of movement. Contrasting light and shadow model the forms, while the richly detailed architectural backdrop adds depth and theatricality.

History & Provenance

Created while Girolamo was employed at the court of Henry VIII, the work entered the Walters Art Museum collection in the twentieth century, though the precise acquisition path is not fully documented. Its presence in an English royal setting underscores the artist’s international activity during the Renaissance.

Context

Girolamo da Treviso the Younger, an Italian painter and sculptor, spent part of his career in England, adapting Italian Mannerist conventions to a northern audience. *The Dormition of the Virgin* exemplifies the cross‑cultural exchange of artistic ideas during the period, merging Italian compositional drama with the devotional interests of Tudor England.

Artist & collection

Artist

Girolamo da Treviso the Younger

Girolamo da Treviso (Treviso, 1498 – Boulogne-sur-Mer, September 10, 1544), also known as Girolamo di Tommaso da Treviso the Younger and Girolamo Trevigi, was an Italian Renaissance sculptor and painter in Henry VIII's court in England.