The artwork titled “Dormition of Mary with Francis and Dominic” was created by the “Orthodox Icons” artists around 1450. It belongs to the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance era (circa 1261–1453) and the Cretan school of icon painting. This piece, which is a part of the “Holydays and Events of Sacred History” series, is located at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia. It falls within the genre of iconography.
The artwork depicts the Dormition of Mary, a significant event in Christian theology, surrounded by liturgical figures and saints, including Francis and Dominic. The central scene shows Mary lying on a richly adorned bier, surrounded by apostles and other holy figures. Above Mary, Christ is depicted in a halo, holding a glowing infant, symbolizing the soul of Mary. The artwork is rendered in the traditional Byzantine style, characterized by its use of rich colors, gold leaf accents, and a combination of both linear and spatial perspectives. On either side of the central scene, Francis and Dominic are portrayed, holding a book and a cross respectively, signifying their roles and importance in Christian history. The overall composition emphasizes the solemnity and spiritual significance of the Dormition, reflecting the devotional and liturgical purposes of Byzantine iconography.
