L'Assomption
Original title: L'Assomption
kurzbeschreibung
Jacques Philippe Le Bas captured the Assumption of Mary in his etching Die Himmelfahrt Mariens: angels surround her while three kneeling figures witness the event. The undated sheet, executed as an etching and engraving, measures 19 by 12 cm.
Description
Mary hovers aloft on a cloud, encircled by angels, her arms raised—a gesture that suggests conception or ascension. Below, three figures crouch on the ground; two of them hold a cloth that comes to rest over Mary's body. The layout feels symmetrical: Mary in the middle, the kneeling figures to either side. In this monochrome etching, detailed lines and shading model figures and clouds with sculptural depth. Light arises solely from hatching and linework, which brings out the depth of the space.
Context
Le Bas, an eighteenth-century French copperplate engraver, became known chiefly for reproductive prints after paintings by established masters. The Assumption of Mary ranks among the widespread motifs of Christian iconography and was frequently treated in art during the Baroque and Rococo periods. No exact date of creation is known; stylistically the sheet belongs to the mid-eighteenth century. The small format suggests it served as a devotional image or book illustration.
Impact
The scene feels calm and solemn—sustained by careful linework and a balanced arrangement. Shading creates spatial depth and draws the eye into the heavenly event.
Technique
Etching and additional engraving combine, allowing for precise lines and fine shading. The black-and-white execution emphasizes the graphic quality and the details of the sheet.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)