El Greco, a Greek artist who lived from 1541 to 1614, painted Dormition of the Virgin sometime before 1567. This painting was one of his early works of Post-Byzantine Art. In this painting, El Greco combined Italian Mannerist, and post-Byzantine styles and iconographic elements.
The theme of this painting is from the New Testament. The Virgin Mary is the central focal figure, lying dormant, sleeping peacefully, until her soul and body are reunited and taken to Heaven. The composition's vertical approach can be seen, and is formed by Christ's figure above Mary. The two Apostles at either end create the horizon, and another horizontal plane becomes evident by the groups of bishops and Apostles above.
El Greco used warm, gold tones, which showed the Italian influences in his early art. The golden tones are interrupted by the red, shimmering garments. The brightest color in this painting is used in the halo surrounding the Virgin Mary's head. Lighter colors are also used in a cloud-like formation of angels, showing the ascension of Mary's united body and soul into Heaven. The darker colors highlighted with gold tones, make the figures almost statuesque-looking.
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