Mary, Queen of the Heavens by Patrick Burns

Mary, Queen of the Heavens by Patrick Burns

Death and the Assumption of the Virgin by Fra Angelico

Purchased in 1899 by Isabella Stewart Gardener from art historian Bernard Berenson, Fra Angelico’s Death and the Assumption of the Virgin  (1432) hangs on the side of an ornate fireplace mantle in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s Early Italian Room. If you are not particularly observant, you may pass by the diminutive exquisite work of art. But if you navigate the museum with care, actively searching each decorated wall, doorway, and ceiling, you will be sure to find this 61.8 x 38.5 cm treasure.

            Death and the Assumption of the Virgin is the final piece of Fra Angelico’s four piece series depicting the life and death of the Virgin Mary. The tempura painting features two depictions of Mary; mortal Mary’s corpse on earth, and immortal Mary’s spirit in heaven.  Mary’s corpse lies on a gilded bed, surrounded by apparitions of Christ and his disciples, as her spirit ascends to heaven, welcomed by a choir of angels. Fra Angelico adorns his figures in vibrant pinks, greens, and blues, giving the painting a celebratory richness. The use of gold lacquer throughout heavenly skies create a sense of enveloping holiness, giving the figure representative of Mary’s spirit an otherworldly aurora. Though the vibrancy and impressive gold work separates this work of art from the characteristically darker 15^th century paintings found in the museum, the most striking element of the painting is the contrast between ornate holiness and naturalism. The figures in the painting retain a sense of humanity through the natural positioning of their faces and bodies, which works against the notion of depicting religious figures idealistically, an idea common to many of Fra Angelico’s contemporaries.  The vibrant hues and grand, golden glazes of this painting may capture the eye at first, but Fra Angelico’s attention to detail in the depiction of facial expressions and body language will keep the viewer in awe.