Title: The Assumption

Artist: Bartholomew Altarpiece

The Assumption of Virgin, Before 1480 / Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altarpiece / Netherlandish, active about 1470-1510 / Oil and gold leaf panelUpon her death, the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ, was taken bodily to heaven. Here, the Virgin ascends through radiant clouds toward God the Father, accompanied by a joyful angelic host. This doubled-sided panel was originally part of an altarpiece wing. The gilded interior, depicting the Magi (Three Kings) with the prophets David and Isaiah (opposite side), was visible only when the altarpiece was opened during important celebrations, but this jubilant and colorful image was visible most of the time, when the wings were closed.