On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Assumption of the Virgin (La Asunción de la Virgen)

Antonio de Torres Mexican

Not on view

This work is part of a series of paintings of the Life of the Virgin, probably from an altarpiece, created by Antonio de Torres for the missionary college of Guadalupe in Zacatecas. Inspired by the Mística Ciudad de Dios (Mystical City of God; 1670), written by the Spanish nun María de Jesús de Ágreda, the peculiar scene depicts the Virgin twice—below, between Saint Peter and Saint John, and above, rising to meet the Trinity. The repetition emphasizes Mary’s duality as body and soul. The angel gazing out invites the viewer to reflect on the mystery.

Esta obra pertenece a una serie sobre la vida de la Virgen creada para el Colegio Apostólico de Guadalupe en Zacatecas. Inspirada por la Mística ciudad de Dios (1670) de la monja española María de Jesús de Ágreda, la peculiar escena muestra a la Virgen dos veces, una entre san Pedro y san Juan y otra ascendiendo hacia la Trinidad, para subrayar su dualidad como "cuerpo" y "alma". El ángel que mira al espectador le invita a ponderar el misterio de esta insólita pintura.

Assumption of the Virgin (La Asunción de la Virgen), Antonio de Torres (Mexican, 1667–1731), Oil on canvas (Óleo sobre lienzo), Mexican

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

© Museum Associates/ LACMA/Fomento Cultural Banamex, A.C., by Francisco Kochen