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The Death of the Virgin (The Dormition)

Workshop of Tilman Heysacker German
late 15th century
On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 20
This high-relief sculpture, once painted, was the central scene of an altarpiece, the wings of which depicted the Birth of the Virgin and the Nativity. According to the Golden Legend, the twelve apostles gathered at the Virgin’s deathbed. Saint Peter, holding a book, officiates. Next to him, an apostle sprinkles holy water. At the foot of the bed, one apostle perfumes the air with incense. Saint Thomas is missing; according to legend he arrived too late and, characteristically, doubted the Assumption of the Virgin’s body into heaven until an angel dropped Mary’s belt down to him as proof.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Death of the Virgin (The Dormition)
  • Artist: Workshop of Tilman Heysacker (German, active Cologne 1487–died 1515)
  • Date: late 15th century
  • Geography: Made in Cologne, Germany
  • Culture: German
  • Medium: Oak
  • Dimensions: 63 x 73 3/4 x 17 1/4 in. (160 x 187.3 x 43.8 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Wood
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1973
  • Object Number: 1973.348
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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