The death of Mary, Michelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio

Description of the picture:

The death of Mary – Michelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio. 1605-1606. Canvas, oil. 369×245

   In this painting, written for the altar of the Roman church of Santa Maria della Gora in Trastera, Caravaggio, the reformer artist, gives his interpretation of the usual plot of the Assumption of the Virgin. Usually passing away Virgin mary it was not regarded as a catastrophe, since the Mother of God, who survived to old age after her death, ascended to heaven and reunited forever with her beloved Her Offspring.

   Caravaggio saw in this plot specifically a tragedy that plunged into the deep grief of the apostles. The image of the deceased Virgo very eloquently speaks of the suffering and mortal torment experienced. Her body was painted with the degree of realism that the customers of the work were not ready for, besides, the model for the Blessed Virgin was a close acquaintance of the artist – a girl of easy virtue. This served as a prerequisite for the customer to abandon the finished painting."