The Ascension

work by Melozzo da Forlì

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

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Melozzo da Forlì's The Ascension is a fresco created around 1480 for the church of the Holy Apostles in Rome. This work is noted for its masterful use of illusionistic perspective and foreshortening, characteristic of Melozzo's style, which was influenced by artists like Andrea Mantegna and Piero della Francesca. The fresco depicts athletic figures of apostles and angels, showcasing Melozzo's skill in rendering space.1

In Christian belief, the Ascension refers to Jesus Christ's ascent into heaven 40 days after his Resurrection. It is a significant feast day, celebrated universally in Christianity since the 4th century. The Ascension signifies Jesus' glorification and exaltation, marking his return to God the Father and establishing a new relationship between him and his followers.2

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Melozzo da Forlì
…of his most important works, The Ascension, a fresco for the church of the Holy Apostles. The athletic figures of apostles and angels and, here, too, Melozzo’s masterful depiction of space amply account for the reputation Melozzo enjoyed among Giovanni Santi (a painter and the father of Raphael) and other…
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…of his most important works, The Ascension, a fresco for the church of the Holy Apostles. The athletic figures of apostles and angels and, here, too, Melozzo’s masterful depiction of space amply account for the reputation Melozzo enjoyed among Giovanni Santi (a painter and the father of Raphael) and other…
Read More