# Assumption of the Virgin [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [FERRARI, Gaudenzio]() - Date: 1501-1550 - Technique: Fresco ## Commentary The overall design of the decoration of the dome and the paintings are by Gaudenzio Ferrari, the wood sculptures were executed by Andrea da Milano and Giulio Oggione. Domes, which vault the crossing and altar of countless churches, lend themselves well to being transformed into paintings of the sky. The round shape above our heads seems to open onto a higher world, so that God and the things of heaven become visually present at the church holiest spot. In their attempts to make manifestations of heaven in the dome convincingly realistic, artists did not always rely on illusionistic paintings of clouds. In the dome of the Marian sanctuary in Saronno, Gaudenzio Ferrari staged the Assumption of Mary as an interplay of sculptures and fresco. Mary is a wood sculpture standing on the drum of the dome, encircled by prophets and sibyls,; God the Father, another wood sculpture, is awaiting her with open arms in the crown of the dome. Ferrari painted the shell of the dome between them with dense wreath of angels singing and playing instruments. About fifty different instruments can be identified in the angelic concert. Ferrari, who was a musician himself,, not only leads the view up to heaven by means of painting and sculpture, but also hints at its joys with music and song. ## Related artworks - [Crucifixion of Christ]() - [Crucifixion]() - [Donor group]() - [High altar]() - [Lamentation of Christ]() - [Polyptych]() - [Scenes from the Legend of Mary Magdalene: Conversion of the Rulers of Marseilles]() - [Scenes from the Life of Mary]() - [Scenes from the Life of Mary: The Adoration of the Kings]() - [Scenes from the Life of Mary: The Annunciation and Birth of Christ]() - [Scenes from the Life of Mary: The Birth of Mary]() - [Scenes from the Life of Mary: The Presentation and Betrothal of Mary]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()