The Assumption of the Virgin with the Virgin surrounded by cherubs and with the Apostles Below

Art Historical Context

Cherubino Alberti's *The Assumption of the Virgin with Virgin surrounded by cherubs with the Apostles Below*1574) captures a pivotal moment in Christian iconography: the Virgin Mary's ascent to heaven, encircled by joyful cherubs while the Apostles gaze upward in awe below. Created during the late Renaissance in Rome, this engraving reflects the era's fervent Counter-Reformation spirit, where vivid depictions of biblical scenes reinforced Catholic devotion amid Protestant challenges. As a master engraver, Alberti employed intricate line work typical of the medium, incising designs into a copper plate to produce precise, reproducible images on a modest scale (plate: 6 × 5 3/16 in.). Engravings like this were revolutionary for their time, allowing widespread dissemination of sacred art to pilgrims, churches, and collectors who couldn't access grand altarpieces. Alberti, trained in a Mannerist style blending elegance and drama, drew inspiration from contemporary Roman painters, making complex compositions accessible through print. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this work highlights engraving's role in democratizing religious imagery, inviting viewers to contemplate Mary's triumph and the apostles' witness—timeless symbols of faith and transcendence.

About the Artist

Cherubino Alberti (Zaccaria Mattia) · 1553–1615

Cherubino Alberti (1553–1615), also known by his birth name Zaccaria Mattia, was an Italian engraver and painter active in Rome during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Born in Borgo San Sepolcro in Tuscany, he came from an artistically inclined family and received training that equipped him for work in both painting and the reproductive graphic arts. It was as a printmaker, however,...