Assumption of the Virgin (after Carlo Maratta?)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite drawing, titled *Assumption of the* and tentatively attributed to the circle of Carlo Maratta, captures a quintessential 17th-century Baroque vision of the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven, surrounded by adoring angels. Created by an anonymous Italian artist from the Roman-Bolog school, it reflects the dramatic religious themes popular in Counter-Reformation Italy, where artists like Maratta—known for his elegant, classical style influenced by the Carracci—emphasized divine glory and emotional uplift. The composition likely served as a preparatory study for a larger painting or altarpiece, showcasing the era's focus on heavenly spectacle to inspire faith. Executed in red chalk with brush and red wash, heightened with white gouache on light tan paper, the work demonstrates masterful techniques for modeling form and light. The reddish tones create warm, volumetric figures, while white highlights impart an ethereal glow, evoking Mary's triumphant rise amid swirling angels. This mixed-media approach was prized in 17th-century workshops for its versatility, allowing artists to explore composition, chiaroscuro, and movement before committing to oil or fresco. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1887 from Cephas G. Thompson, this 8¼ × 10⅝-inch sheet (21 × 26.9 cm) offers visitors a window into Baroque draftsmanship's intimacy and innovation, bridging studio practice with profound spiritual iconography.