Artwork
Apostles and Angels at the Assumption (copy of the fresco in the cupola of Parma Cathedral)
Apostles and Angels at the Assumption (copy of the fresco in the cupola of Parma Cathedral) is a tempera painting by the Mannerist artist Antonio da Correggio. It dates from 1521 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1521, this tempera work by Antonio da Correggio reproduces the fresco originally painted in the dome of Parma Cathedral. The composition presents a semi‑circular gathering of figures gazing upward, centered on a dominant figure with arms outstretched. The piece is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts apostles and angels surrounding the Assumption, with the central figure likely representing the Virgin Mary ascending toward heaven. The surrounding figures, some holding torches or books, appear to be drawn upward, emphasizing a moment of divine elevation and spiritual ascent.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the painting achieves a subtle depth through layered pigments, giving the figures a tactile surface. A restrained palette of blues and greens dominates, while the soft modeling of drapery and the delicate handling of light convey a sense of movement within the static medium.
History & Provenance
Correggio’s design for the cupola fresco was adapted into this portable version, allowing the composition to be viewed beyond its original architectural setting. The work entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it remains on display.
Context
The original fresco formed part of a larger decorative program in Parma Cathedral, illustrating the triumph of the Assumption within a Renaissance theological framework. Correggio’s approach combined dynamic composition with a harmonious color scheme, reflecting contemporary trends in ecclesiastical art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antonio Allegri da Correggio, usually known as just Correggio, was an Italian Renaissance painter who was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High Renaissance, who was responsible for some of the most…
Apostles at the Virgin's Tomb
Minerva with Allegorical Figures of the Arts and Sciences (sketch for the ceiling of the Banqueting House, Hampton Court Palace)
La Gloria
The Dreams of Men
The Glory of St. Eusebius of Rome
The Apotheosis of Hercules
The Eucharist overcoming pagan sacrifices
Olympus: The Fall of the Giants