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| Gherardo Starnina, Death of the Virgin Italian, c. 1401-1410 Chicago, Art Institute |
This was once part of a longer essay on the Dormition of the Virgin that I initially published in 2011 and revised in 2019. This year I began to revise that article, adding a great deal of new material and replacing images that have been upgraded over the years at their sources. As I worked, I realized that the essay had become overly long and somewhat unwieldy to work with and probably excruciating for the reader/viewer. So, I decided to break it up into two parts.
The first part, which still bears the date of the most recent update (August 2019) is now called Vigil of the Feast of the Assumption -- Mary Prepares for Death. It can be found here https://imaginemdei.blogspot.com/2011/08/vigil-of-feast-of-assumption-dormition.html I strongly urge you to read it before you read this second part. It is especially important to do that if you aren't sure about what the Assumption is and how it fits into the life of Christians, whether Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant. Some of the important footnotes can also be found at the bottom of this article.
The Death of the Virgin
The earliest images of Mary’s actual death that we have are Byzantine ivories and icons. They show the apostles gathered around Mary’s bed as she dies. But she is not alone with them. Unseen by the apostles, Jesus stands by the bed, receiving or already holding her small soul, sometimes shown as if it were a baby in swaddling bands, sometimes as a miniature adult. Sometimes, in later images, angels collect her soul and begin bringing it to her waiting Son. The idea behind this image is twofold. The first is that the soul we all receive at our conception is the one we were born with, as infants. The second is that Mary, who was conceived without the inborn capacity to sin that is the human condition, never defiled what she had received and was, therefore, in the same state at her death as she was at her conception. (See my post on the Immaculate Conception)This image, of the apostles gathered at the death bed while Mary's soul departs, has the longest history of the episodes leading up to the Assumption proper. It appears
In Byzantine icons
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| Dormition of the Virgin_ Byzantine, 13th Century Sinai, Saint Catherine's Monastery |
Dormition of the Mother of God
Russian, c. 1300
Recklinghausen, Ikonen-Museum
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| Dormition of the Mother of God Cretan, c. 1590-1600 Vatican City State, Vatican Museums |
In Byzantine ivories
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| Dormition of the Virgin Imported Central plaque of the cover of the Gospels of Otto III Byzantine, c. 1000 Munich, Staatsbibliothek MS Clm 4453 |
In mosaics
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| Dormition of the Virgin Vault Detail Italian, c. 1150-1160 Palermo, Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio |
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| Pietro Cavallini, Dormition of the Virgin Italian, 1291 Rome, Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere |
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| Jacopo Torriti, Dormition of the Virgin Italian, 1296 Rome, Church of Santa Maria Maggiore |
In Byzantine Manuscript Illumination
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| Dormition of the Virgin From The Hamilton Lectionary Byzantine, c. 1080-1000 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 639, fol. 366r |
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| Dormition of the Virgin From a Book of Gospels Byzantine, c. 1175-1250 London, British Library MS Harley 1810, fol. 174v |
In Western Manuscripts
In Western manuscript painting from the Ottonian era in the 10th and 11th centuries to the decline in the manuscript that came with the triumph of printing in the 16th,,%20c.%20986-1001_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Latin%209448,%20fol.%2060v.jpeg) |
| Death of the Virgin From Gradual of Prüm Abbey German (Prüm), c. 986-1001 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 9448, fol. 60v |
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Death of the Virgin From the Treves Sacramentary German (Reichenau), c. 1020-1040 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 18005, fol. 118v |
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| Death of the Virgin From the Scheyerer Matutinalbuch (I) German, c. 1215-1230 Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek MS Clm 1740, fol. 51 |
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| Death of the Virgin From Vie de Saint Denis French (Paris), c. 1250 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Nouvelle acquisition francaise 1098, fol. 33v |
,%20c.%201275-1300_London,%20British%20Library_MS%20Harley%202449,%20fol.%20230v.jpg) |
| Death of the Virgin From a Prayer Book Flemish (Brussels), c. 1275-1300 London, British Library MS Harley 2449, fol. 230v |
,%20c.%201275-1300_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Francais%201038,%20fol.%20164v.jpg) |
| Death of the Virgin From Assomption Notre Dame French (Paris), c. 1275-1300 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 1038, fol. 164v |
,%201285_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Francais%20412,%20fol.%20172v.jpg) |
| Master Henri, Death of the Virgin From Vies de Saints Flemish (Hainaut), 1285 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 412, fol. 172v |
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| Death of the Virgin From Vita et passio beati dionysii by Ivo de Sancto Dionysio French (Paris), 1317 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 2091, fol. 1r |
,%20c.%201333-1334_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Francais%20316,%20fol.%20672v.jpg) |
| Master of the Roman de Fauvel, Death of the Virgin From Speculum historiale by Vincent of Beauvais French (Paris), c. 1333-1334 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 316, fol. 672v |
,%201348_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Francais%20241,%20fol.%20204r.jpg) |
| Richard de Montbaston, Death of the Virgin From Legenda aurea by Jacobus de Voragine French (Paris), 1348 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 241, fol. 204r |
,%20c.%201350-1400_London,%20British%20Library_MS%20Yates%20Thompson%2013,%20fol.%20133.jpg) |
| Death of the Virgin From The Taymouth Hours English (London), c. 1350-1400 London, British Library MS Yates Thompson 13, fol. 133 |
,%20c.%201355-1365_New%20York,%20Pierpont_MS%20M769,%20fol.%20.299v.jpg) |
| Death of the Virgin From Weltchronik German (Regensburg), c. 1355-1365 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 769, fol. 299v |
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| Master of the Livre du Sacre and Workshop, Death of the Virgin From Speculum historiale by Vincent of Beauvais French (Paris), c. 1370-1380 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Nouvelle acquisiton francaise 15940, fol. .67ra |
,%20c.%201375-1400_New%20York,%20Pierpont_MS%20M268.%20fol.%20233vA.jpg) |
| Death of the Virgin From the Historien Bibel German (Swabia), c. 1375-1400 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 268. fol. 233v |
,%20c.%201380_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Latin%201403,%20fol.%2099r.jpeg) |
| Death of the Virgin From Book of Hours known as Hours of Isabeau of Bavaria French (Metz), c. 1380 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 1403, fol. 99r |
,%20c.%201385-1390_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Latin%2018014,%20fol.%20144r.jpg) |
| Master Jacquemart and Workshop, Death of the Virgin From Petites Hours of Jean de Berry French (Bourges), c. 1385-1390 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 18014, fol. 144r |
,%20c.1400-1410_LA,%20Getty_MS%2033,%20fol.%20306a.jpg) |
| Brother Philipp, Death of the Virgin from Weltchronik German (Regensburg), c.1400-1410 Los Angeles, J. Paul Getty Museum MS 33, fol. 306 |
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| Jean Colombe and Workshop, Death of the Virgin From Hours of Anne of France French (Bourges), 1473 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 677, fol. 157v |
In medieval sculpture
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| Death of the Virgin French, c. 1170 Senlis, Cathedral of Notre-Dame |
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| Death of the Virgin French, 1220 Strasbourg, Strasbourg Cathedral |
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| Andrea Orcagna, Tabernacle of the Dormition Italian, 1359 Florence, Orsanmichele |
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Death of the Virgin French, c. 1500 Metz, Musée de Metz |
In Ivory
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| Death of the Virgin Italian, c. 1360-1370 London, Victoria and Albert Museum |
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| Master of Kremsmuenster, Death of the Virgin German, c. 1400-1450 Chicago, Art Institute |
And in Other Materials
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| Veit Stoss, High Altar of The Virgin Mary, Death of the Virgin German, c. 1477-1489 Cracow, Church of Saint Mary |
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| Death of the Virgin Austrian, End of the 15th Century Vienna, Belvedere Museum |
In Panel and Wall Painting During the Middle Ages
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Duccio, Death of the Virgin Italian, c. 1308-1311 Siena, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo |
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| Death of the Virgin Bohemian (Czech), c. 1340-1345 Boston, Museum of Fine Arts |
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| Fra Angelico, Death of the Virgin Italian, c. 1431-1432 Florence, Museo di San Marco |
Other Representations
In addition to the Byzantine image, in which Christ stands at the deathbed holding the soul of His mother, other images developed. In these Christ is seen in heaven, above the earthly deathbed, either carrying Mary's soul or reaching toward her.
 Death of the Virgin From the Prüm Evangelary German (Prüm), First Half of the 12th Century Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 17325, fol.51v
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Adding Liturgical Elements
In the course of the medieval period numerous representations of Mary's death began to include elements of the liturgy that surrounds the death of the faithful. These include the use of incense, burning candles and the sprinkling of holy water. In many of these images one of the Apostles, easily identified as Saint Peter, appears in actual liturgical garments, the alb, the basic priestly garment, and the cope, which is a capelike garment worn by the priest for liturgical functions outside of Mass.,%20c.%201007-1012_Munich,%20Bayerische%20Staatsbibiliothek_MS%20Clm%204452,%20fol.%20%20161v.jpg) | ||||||||||||||||||
Death of the Virgin From the Book of Pericopes of Henry II German (Reichenau), c. 1007-1012 Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibiliothek MS Clm 4452, fol. 161v Here we see the use of incense in the swinging thurible at the front and candles behind the bed.
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| Jean Charles Nicaise Perrin, Death of the Virgin French, 1788 Versailles, Chateaux de Versailles et de Trianon |
Funeral of the Virgin.
After the mourning period comes the funeral. This subject is one of the less familiar ones. It may consist of an image of the Apostles carrying the bier of the Virgin to the cemetery at Gethsemane or of the apostles standing at the graveside.
,%20c.%201300-1350_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Francais%20183,%20fol.%2059v.jpg) |
Master of the Roman de Fauvel, Funeral of the Virgin From Lives of the Saints French (Paris), 1325-1350 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS 183, fol. 58r |
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| Master of Death, Funeral of the Virgin From Histoire de la Bible et de l'Assomption de Notre-Dame French (Paris), c. 1390-1400 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 526, fol. 43r |
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| Bedford Master and Workshop, Funeral Procession of the Virgin From a Book of Hours French (Paris), c. 1430-1435 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M359, fol. 103v |
,%20c.%201450-1460_New%20York,%20Pierpont_MS%20M868,%20fol.%2063r.jpg) |
| Master of Peter Danielssoen, Burial of the Virgin Mary From Spiegel van den laven ons Heren and other works Flemish (Brabant), c. 1450-1460 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 868, fol. 63r |
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| Filippo Lippi, Funeral of the Virgin Italian, 1467-1469 Spoleto, Cathedral |
,%201473_New%20York,%20Pierpont_MS%20M677,%20fol.%20160v.jpg) |
| Jean Colombe and Workshop, Burial of the Virgin From Hours of Anne of France French (Bourges), 1473 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M677, fol. 160v |
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| Bartolomeo Vivarini, Burial and Assumption of the Virgin Italian, 1485 New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Francesco da Sangallo and Domenico Aimo, Funeral of the Virgin Italian, c. 1523-1536 Loreto, Santa Casa |
An Entirely Legendary Event
So far we have looked at images that, while they may not actually be related in the Gospels, are related to what Scripture does have to say. They are more or less logical inferences from the story of Mary's known life. But there is one subject associated with Mary's death that is entirely legendary, and rather alarming.
These are images of the Virgin's funeral procession that include the legendary figures of one or two Jewish priests or zealots, who attempted to overturn the bier, seize the corpse and burn it. According to this legend, they received a frightening punishment for their sacrilegious attempt to seize the corpse of the Mother of God. Their hands were made useless and they were unable to accomplish their intent. 4
Artists chose various ways of depicting this part of the story. In some cases the evildoers simply stick to the bier and are carried along with the procession.
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| Funeral Procession of the Virgin Carries the Malefactors Along From the DeLisle Hours English (possibly York), c. 1316-1331 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS G 50, fol.161r |
In others, they touch and then drop helplessly to the ground.
,%20c.%201375-1400_New%20York,%20Pierpont_MS%20M268.%20fol.%2033v%20B.jpg) |
| The Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Are Rendered Helpless From the Historien Bibel German (Swabia), c. 1375-1400 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 268. fol. 33v |
,%201463_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Francais%2050,%20fol.%20243r%20(3).jpg) |
| Master Francois and Workshop, The Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Are Rendered Helpless From Speculum historiale by Vincent of Beauvais French (Paris), 1463 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 50, fol. 243r |
In still other, rather gruesome, depictions the hands stick, but the bodies of the disrupters do not. Probably the reaction to this was much the same as our own reactions to gruesome horror movies, it makes us mildly sick, but we love it. Our ancestors probably had much the same reaction. And this is no doubt why these scenes soon dominated this particular minor apocryphal subject.
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| Master of the Livre du Sacre and Workshop, The Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Lose Their Hands From Speculum historiale by Vincent of Beauvais French (Paris), c. 1370-1380 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Nouvelle acquisiton francaise 15940, fol. .67rb |
,%20c.%201390-1400_New%20York,%20Pierpont_MS%20M%20526,%20fol.%2043v.jpg) |
| Master of Death, The Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Lose Their Hands From Histoire de la Bible et de l'Assomption de Notre-Dame French (Paris), c. 1390-1400 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 526, fol. 43v |
,%20c.1400-1410_LA,%20Getty_MS%2033,%20fol.%20306%20B.jpg) |
| Brother Philipp, The Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Lose Their Hands From Weltchronik German (Regensburg), c.1400-1410 Los Angeles, J. Paul Getty Museum MS 33, fol. 306r |
,%20c.%201450-1460_New%20York,%20Pierpont_MS%20M868,%20fol.%2062r.jpg) |
| Master of Peter Danielssoen, The Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Lose Their Hands From Spiegel van den laven ons Heren and other works Flemish (Brabant), c. 1450-1460 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 868, fol. 62r |
,%201456_Paris,%20BNF_MS%20Francais%209198,%20fol.%2050r%20(2).jpg) |
| Jean le Tavernier, The Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Lose Their Hands From Miracles de Notre Dame by Jean Mielot Flemish (Oudenarde), 1456 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 9198, fol. 50r |
,%20c.%201500_London,%20British%20Library_MS%20Yates%20Thompson%205,%20fol.%2060r%20B.jpg) |
| Jean Poyer, The Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Lose Their Hands From a Book of Hours French (Tours), c. 1500 London, British Library MS Yates Thompson 5, fol. 60 |
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Hans Schaeufelein, Funeral Procession of the Virgin, the Malefactors Lose Their Arms From the Christgatner Altar German, c. 1515-1516 Munich, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Alte Pinakothek |
Notes for backgrouod on the Assumption:
1. Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus: Defining the Dogma of the Assumption, November 1, 1950. The complete text in English is available at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-xii_apc_19501101_munificentissimus-deus_en.html
2. For a review of the First Council of Ephesus see, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05491a.htm
3. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second edition, article 966. Available online at http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2C.HTM
The Golden Legend (Legenda Aurea), Compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, 1275, Englished by William Caxton, 1483, Vol. 4, pp. 110-117. Available online at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/goldenlegend/GoldenLegend-Volume4.asp#Assumption
© M. Duffy, 2011, revised, with additional material 2019. Completely revised and expanded 2022.
1. Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus: Defining the Dogma of the Assumption, November 1, 1950. The complete text in English is available at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-xii_apc_19501101_munificentissimus-deus_en.html
2. For a review of the First Council of Ephesus see, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05491a.htm
3. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second edition, article 966. Available online at http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2C.HTM
Such legendary "events" as the annunciation of the Virgin's impending death, the gathering of the apostles in Jerusalem and the punishment of the sacrilegious men at the funeral come from the compilation of such legends made in the late 13th century known as the
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