Assumption of the Virgin

This painting is one of several artworks by Annibale Carracci that was devoted to the theme of the Assumption of the Virgin.

The painting's location in the Cerasi Chapel in the church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome is the main way in which it is differentiated from the others. It is loosely dated at 1600-1601 which was a productive and prolific period for the artist. His Pieta also was completed at around this time along with several other highly notable commissions.

An additional reason to visit this breathtaking artwork in person would be the accompanying Caravaggio paintings which can also be found in this venue. The specific works are The Conversion of Saint Paul on the Road to Damascus and The Crucifixion of Saint Peter. Whilst both members of the Italian Baroque movement, their styles were distinctly different, with Caravaggio famous for being particularly aggressive with his use of light. Carracci preferred a more subtle blend.

Carracci's version serves as an altarpiece and for that reason is one of the artist's largest paintings. It is nearly two and a half metres tall, one and a half metre wide. The artist made use of a small studio on some occasions and may have done so in this case, but that has never been entirely determined.