The Assumption and Tradition
And there's nothing like being assigned a devotion for one of the biggest Holy Days of the liturgical year to really prompt some serious digging. In an effort to be informed and write well, I've learned so much specifically about the historical context of so many different scripture passages; for many of them, my previous level of understanding had only scratched the surface.
When I saw I'd be writing today's reflection for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, I did what helps me most when I want to understand the big picture: I started at the very beginning. I researched the origins of the feast day and the knowledge the earliest Christians passed down as truth before they were able to write and reference what would become the Bible. What I uncovered was the new-to-me and fascinating first-person accounts handed down from the apostles themselves about the details of The Assumption. The apostles passed on their first-hand knowledge that, as she died a very real and human death, Mary was surrounded by the apostles and laid in a tomb like her Son. And when they returned to her tomb to dress her body as they had done with her son, all they found was a miraculously empty tomb.
The coolest part, though, happened after I turned in my little writing assignment. Recently I was searching for images of the Assumption that fit my taste for art since...well, I'll be honest, since a lot of religious artwork really isn't my favorite. I prefer more realistic looking depictions. I found a few that piqued my interest a bit...
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| Assumption of Mary, Tim Langenderfer (Artist Website) |
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| The Assumption of Mary, Mercy Chapel, Toronto, OH, Lisa Andrews (Artist website) |
...but I also stumbled on some paintings of the Assumption that I'd never seen before which clearly corroborated the apostles' accounts: painting after painting showed the apostles uncovering The Blessed Mother's empty tomb in astonishment.
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| The Crowning of the Virgin, Oddi Alterpiece (Vatican), Raphael, 1502 |
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| 'Modello' for Assumption of Mary, The Hague, Peter Paul Rubens and workshop, c. 1620-5 |
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| Assumption of Mary, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Bussels. Peter Paul Rubens and workshop, c. 1616 (Peter Paul Rubens created many similar versions of the Assumption). |
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| Apse mosaic, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (Rome) Venetian artists, 1220 |
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| Assumption of the Virgin, National Gallery (Washington, D.C.), Nicolas Poussin, c.1650s |
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| Our Lady's Assumption, St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Brussles, François-Joseph Navez, 1847 |
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| Modonna della Cintola for the Company of San Benedetto Bigi Fracesco Granacci, between 1508 - 1515 |
So there you have it. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect Assumption image, but apparently the creators of sacred art have been filling the world with depictions of the earliest apostolic accounts for thousands of years, and I didn't even realize it. I'm just tickled by this discovery. The more you know...
Happy Solemnity!
One of my favorite depictions of the Assumption is the altar piece at Chartres Cathedral: http://manuelcohen.photoshelter.com/image/I0000hWMnffKciD8 . Often, when cathedrals add other elements later on, once trends have changed (in this case from Gothic to Baroque), they don't always jive well. But I've always thought this was done in good taste to complement the rest of the cathedral.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Fra Angelico is one of my favorite religious artists, so, naturally, I find his Death and Assumption of Mary" stunning: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_Angelico_-_Reliquary_Tabernacle-1.jpg
I could talk religious art with you all day...haha!! ;)
Laurel, these are gorgeous! I o love those gold tones. And what an incredible sculpture, I'm in awe of the fact that such a huge slab of rock could be made to look like it's so effortlessly billowing in the wind.
DeleteWe totally should! ;) I'm no expert but I love to learn. Tell me more! Henry Ossawa Tanner's The Annunciation is my all-time favorite, he was mentored by Thomas Eakins. Ever since I've heard of her I've also been a fan of Akiane Kramarik's.
So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved this Holy Day.
Years ago, a priest told us that that was a wonderful day to put your intentions at the feet of Our Lady.
I love that it comes right near the start of a new school year.
I hope that you are feeling better.
And that the results are exactly what you hoped for.
I offered my Communion Saturday evening for you, my friend.
Hugs!