The artwork “Dormition of the Virgin” was created by the artist El Greco in 1566, during his time in Greece. This religious painting belongs to the Mannerism movement, known for eluding the harmonious ideals and balanced compositions of the High Renaissance in favor of more complex and expressive forms. Rendered on a panel using tempera as the medium, it measures 61.4 by 45 centimeters. Currently, the artwork is housed in the Holy Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin in Ermoupoli, Greece.
The artwork depicts the Dormition, or the “falling asleep,” of the Virgin Mary, an event that is highly venerated in the Orthodox Christian tradition. The central scene portrays the Virgin Mary on her deathbed, surrounded by the apostles in deep mourning. The figures are rendered with elongated, contorted bodies, a hallmark of the Mannerist style, which sought to depict figures in a more expressive and emotionally charged manner. Above the scene, the soul of the Virgin, depicted as a small swaddled infant, is being carried to Heaven by Christ, who is surrounded by a mandorla and attended by an array of angels. The painting is saturated with golden and reddish tones that imbue the scene with an otherworldly luminosity, emphasizing its spiritual significance. The background is rich in detail, with architectural elements and additional groupings of celestial figures that amplify the drama unfolding in the earthly realm below.
