Artwork
Ascension in an Initial V
Ascension in an Initial V is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Niccolò di Ser Sozzo Tegliaccio. It dates from 1342 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Saint Peter appears at the left, identifiable by gesture and placement, while other apostles gather around the Virgin, whose hands are raised in orant prayer.
The miniature depicts the Ascension, showing Christ rising to heaven in a mandorla supported by angels while the Virgin and apostles witness below. Saint Peter appears at the left, identifiable by gesture and placement, while other apostles gather around the Virgin, whose hands are raised in orant prayer. The composition emphasizes Christ's triumphant departure and the continuity of the apostolic mission, with the mandorla framing divine glory and the earthly witnesses grounding the vision in human devotion.
History & Provenance
Created in 1342, Ascension in an Initial V is a religious illumination by the artist Niccolò di Ser Sozzo Tegliaccio, depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Peter. The work was formerly owned by Robert Lehman before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held as part of the Robert Lehman Collection. The specific circumstances surrounding the original commission of the initial remain unrecorded, and the available records do not list an accession number or detail any exhibition history.
Overview
Niccolò di Ser Sozzo, a Sienese artist active in the mid-14th century, created Ascension in an Initial V in 1342. This painting is an illuminated manuscript initial, depicting a religious scene within the letter 'V'. It exemplifies the Sienese school's distinctive style during this period, characterized by its decorative qualities and spiritual focus. The work is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Technique & Style
Niccolò di Ser Sozzo's artistic approach is evident in the painting's vibrant gold background and the flat application of color, which lacks extensive shading. Figures possess simple, stylized faces, a characteristic feature of Sienese painting from the mid-14th century. The composition, with its clear outlines and decorative elements, reflects the influence of artists like Simone Martini and the Lorenzetti brothers, aligning with the broader Sienese school tradition.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Niccolò di Ser Sozzo Tegliaccio
Niccolò di Ser Sozzo (fl. 1334–63) was an Italian painter and manuscript illuminator. He generally has been identified as Niccolò di Ser Sozzo di Francesco Tegliacci, but recent research points instead to a Niccolò di…
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