The Coronation of the Virgin
Quick Summary
The Coronation of the Virgin is a religious motif in Christian art that depicts the Virgin Mary being crowned Queen of Heaven by Jesus. This theme is closely related to the doctrine of the Assumption, which states that Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul, after her earthly life.1
While the New Testament does not mention the Assumption, its imagery is linked to Jesus' Ascension. The doctrine signifies Mary's complete glorification, anticipating humanity's future state. The feast of the Dormition, or falling asleep, evolved into the celebration of the Assumption, emphasizing the glorification of both Mary's body and soul.1
In art, the Coronation of the Virgin became popular in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. Characteristic depictions show Mary ascending, supported by angels, with the Apostles in amazement below. The iconography evolved over centuries, with Mary often shown within a mandorla or surrounded by clouds. The theme of the Madonna, generally depicting Mary with the infant Christ, also developed significantly in Byzantine and Western art, with various types emphasizing her role as "Mother of God" or intercessor.12
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Fra AngelicoSan Domenico period…The Last Judgment (1440–45) and The Coronation of the Virgin (c. 1430–32), for example, the human figures receding toward the rear themselves create a feeling of space similar to that in the paintings of Angelico’s great Florentine contemporary Masaccio. The earliest work by Angelico that can be dated with certainty…
Read More…The Last Judgment (1440–45) and The Coronation of the Virgin (c. 1430–32), for example, the human figures receding toward the rear themselves create a feeling of space similar to that in the paintings of Angelico’s great Florentine contemporary Masaccio. The earliest work by Angelico that can be dated with certainty…
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Giovanni BelliniBellini’s great Coronation of the Virgin at Pesaro, for example, might have reflected some of the compositional elements of Piero’s lost Coronation of the Virgin, painted as the central panel of a polyptych. Christ’s crowning of his mother beneath the effulgence of the Holy Ghost is a…
Read MoreBellini’s great Coronation of the Virgin at Pesaro, for example, might have reflected some of the compositional elements of Piero’s lost Coronation of the Virgin, painted as the central panel of a polyptych. Christ’s crowning of his mother beneath the effulgence of the Holy Ghost is a…
Read More- Bernardo Bitti
…of San Pedro is the Coronation of the Virgin. Its composition centres on the triangular grouping of the Trinity, with the Virgin below. Angels and cherubs float among billowing clouds. Bitti’s elongated figures, elegant poses, and planar rendering of drapery reflect his Mannerist training. Another work for San Pedro was…
Read More…of San Pedro is the Coronation of the Virgin. Its composition centres on the triangular grouping of the Trinity, with the Virgin below. Angels and cherubs float among billowing clouds. Bitti’s elongated figures, elegant poses, and planar rendering of drapery reflect his Mannerist training. Another work for San Pedro was…
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Enguerrand Charonton…period, famous for his “Coronation of the Virgin.”
Read More…period, famous for his “Coronation of the Virgin.”
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Lorenzo Monaco…and influential work was his Coronation of the Virgin, signed and dated in February 1413, which was installed on the high altar of Santa Maria degli Angeli. This enormous ensemble, measuring about 510 × 450 cm (200 × 175 inches, or more than 16 × 14 feet), features the frequently…
Read More…and influential work was his Coronation of the Virgin, signed and dated in February 1413, which was installed on the high altar of Santa Maria degli Angeli. This enormous ensemble, measuring about 510 × 450 cm (200 × 175 inches, or more than 16 × 14 feet), features the frequently…
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Paolo Veneziano…and his son Giovanni signed The Coronation of the Virgin in 1358; it is the last known work by him. Another The Coronation of the Virgin, which is dated 1324, is also attributed to Paolo. Other known works of Paolo’s are dated 1333, 1347, and 1353.
Read More…and his son Giovanni signed The Coronation of the Virgin in 1358; it is the last known work by him. Another The Coronation of the Virgin, which is dated 1324, is also attributed to Paolo. Other known works of Paolo’s are dated 1333, 1347, and 1353.
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RaphaelApprenticeship at Perugia…rather important commission—to paint the Coronation of the Virgin for the Oddi Chapel in the church of San Francesco, Perugia. The great Umbrian master Pietro Perugino was executing the frescoes in the Collegio del Cambio at Perugia between 1498 and 1500, enabling Raphael, as a member of his workshop, to…
Read More…rather important commission—to paint the Coronation of the Virgin for the Oddi Chapel in the church of San Francesco, Perugia. The great Umbrian master Pietro Perugino was executing the frescoes in the Collegio del Cambio at Perugia between 1498 and 1500, enabling Raphael, as a member of his workshop, to…
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Diego VelázquezMiddle yearsIn The Coronation of the Virgin (1635–36) the solemnity and dignity of the holy persons are set off by their voluminous colourful robes in a composition of exceptional splendour specially fitting for a painting of the Queen of Heaven made to adorn the oratory of the…
Read MoreIn The Coronation of the Virgin (1635–36) the solemnity and dignity of the holy persons are set off by their voluminous colourful robes in a composition of exceptional splendour specially fitting for a painting of the Queen of Heaven made to adorn the oratory of the…
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