Artwork
The Assumption
The Assumption is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Laurent de La Hyre. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Laurent de La Hyre, a Paris‑born painter active in the mid‑17th century, completed *The Assumption* in 1653. Executed in the French classical Baroque idiom, the work presents the traditional Christian narrative of the Virgin Mary’s ascent to heaven. The canvas now belongs to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the Virgin Mary rising amid a host of angels, her blue mantle and white garment highlighted by a yellow sash. Her outstretched arms and upward‑tilted gaze convey a moment of divine elevation. Below, a group of clothed men gathered around a stone sarcophagus watch the event with reverent awe, underscoring the earthly witness to the celestial transition.
Technique & Style
De La Hyre employs chiaroscuro to model forms and create spatial depth, guiding the eye from the illuminated figure of Mary toward the darker foreground. The contrast of light and shadow enhances the drama of the ascent, while the soft rendering of clouds and distant trees provides a tranquil backdrop to the otherwise dynamic scene.
History & Provenance
Created during the height of de La Hyre’s career, the painting reflects his involvement with the neoclassical current known as Parisian Atticism. After changing hands over the centuries, it entered the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European paintings holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Laurent de La Hyre (French pronunciation: ; 27 February 1606 – 28 December 1656) was a French Baroque painter, born in Paris. He was a leading exponent of the neoclassical style of Parisian Atticism.
