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The Assumption of the Virgin
c. 1475-6
228.6 x 377.2 cm
Egg tempera on wood
This painting was an altarpiece in the burial chapel of Matteo Palmieri, a fifteenth century Florentine civil servant. It's a painting very personal to Palmieri as he is actually depicted as taking part in the action: he is the figure painted kneeling on the left. His wife Niccolosa also appears, dressed in the habit of a Benedictine nun.
The landscape behind them would have been familiar to both husband and wife. The view behind Matteo includes Florence, while in the background to Niccolosa are farms in the hills of Val d'Elsa which were part of her dowry.
The painting's theme is the legend that when the Virgin Mary died her body was taken up into heaven, leaving behind only fragrant lilies, which can be seen in the tomb.
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