Master from Cesi – Triptych of the assumption of the Virgin (around 1300, Musee Marmottan – Paris)

The Marmottan musuem in Paris is famous for its big collection of paintings of Claude Monet and Berthe Morisot, these are absolutely fabulous. Not so known is that the museum also houses a nice collection of medieval art. One in particular was beautifull and very interesting, the triptych of the assumption of the Virgin, it was painted around 1300 by an master from Cesi with an unknown name.

This is the full triptych

Before taking a closer look, let’s first go a bit into what is “the assumption”

The assumption of the virgin is the doctrine that Mary was taken into heaven body and soul. it became a catholic dogma in 1950 when Pope Pius XII defined it as a dogma. this was based on a longer tradition, that goes back to the early centuries of Christianity. there are different views on the details, one tradition says she did not die, and was taken into heaven before death, another tradition says she did die, but when the grave was opened after a few days the body was not there but there was a smell of flowers, which is also the reason why in many countries on the 15th of August (the solemnity of the asumption) aromatic herbs are blessed.

On the side panels show eight smaller scenes telling the story of the death of Mary, beginning on the left top the first scene is the mission of the archangel Gabriel

the second scene is the annunciation of the death to Mary by the archangel Gabriel

in the third scene Mary receives John the evangelist

in the bottom left scene Mary gives leave to the apostles

on the right side the first scene is the agony of the virgin. interesting in this scene is the Jesus figure that is consoling Mary in her agony.

the second scene on the right is the death of the Virgin, again interesting is the Jesus figure carrying a child (symbol for the soul of mary?)

next is the funeral procession

the last scene is the entombment

the bottom of the central panel is showing the apostles

Above there is a mandala surrounded by angels. the mandala is an ellips-shape, created by two overlapping circles, in these type of paintings symbolising the crossing point between the heavenly world (one circle) and the normal world (the otehr circle)

Inside Mary rests on Jesus’ shoulder, while jesus holds her in a very tender embrace. this is an image that is very uncommon, but very besutifull at the same time.

So, when in Paris in Musee Marmottan, don’t forget this masterpiece, even though there is many masterpieces of Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot and others.

All photographs by me and copyrighted, taken on July 2nd 2024, in the musee marmottan Paris.

Sources

site with the description of the panels (FR)