The artwork, titled “The Ascension, left hand panel from the Altarpiece,” was created by Andrea Mantegna circa 1461. Executed in tempera on panel, this Early Renaissance masterpiece measures 43 x 86 cm and is categorized as a religious painting. The artwork is housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
The artwork portrays the ascension of Christ, a significant event in Christian theology, in a highly detailed and emotive manner. At the upper center, Christ is depicted ascending into heaven, surrounded by a cluster of cherubic angels. He holds a banner symbolizing victory and divine authority, while his gaze and gesture signify benediction. Below, the composition intersperses vibrant and humble tones to illustrate the gathered apostles and Mary, who witness the miraculous event with varying expressions of awe, reverence, and contemplation. The backdrop combines an earthly landscape with dramatic vertical rocky cliffs reaching towards the sky, emphasizing the divine nature of the ascension. The sky itself is rendered with a myriad of clouds, adding depth and a celestial atmosphere to the piece. Mantegna’s precise attention to anatomical detail and the harmonious use of color underscore the spiritual and artistic significance of this Early Renaissance work.
