The Dormition of the Mother of God
Author: N / A
Created: second half of XVII century.
Material / technique: : oil on canvas.
Dimensions: 101x81 cm.
This work of art merits attention owing to its very rare and fascinating iconography. The dormition of the Mother of God surrounded by apostles is commonplace in the art of the Eastern Christian Churches; however, the Catholics tend to portray the Assumption, rather than the death, of St Virgin Mary. As such, this painting offers a reflection of a thought-provoking link between the Eastern and Western artistic tradition and is most likely to have been done amidst the setting of the Uniates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Catholics of the Byzantine Rite.
The work is noteworthy for its particularly rare and interesting iconography. The Dormition of the Mother of God surrounded by apostles is most commonly depicted in Eastern Church art; it is customary for Catholics to portray not the death of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but the Assumption into Heaven. Thus, this painting reflects an intriguing fusion of Eastern and Western artistic traditions. It was most likely created in the context of the Uniates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Reference: "Bishop, monk, saint: St. The Figure of St. Joseph in the Heritage of the Unitai Church", compiled by Vaiva Vasiliauskaitė, Rita Pauliukevičiūtė, dr. Birutė Kabašinskienė, Vilnius: The Church Heritage Museum, 2025, P. 116 - 117.
Exhibitions: „Let all be one. St. 400 for the martyrdom of Juozapats Kuncevičius″, 2023 September 28 - 2024 April 27, Church Heritage Museum.
Published: "Vyskupas, vienuolis, šventasis: šv. Juozapato figūra Unitų Bažnyčios pavelde", compiled by Vaiva Vasiliauskaitė, Rita Pauliukevičiūtė, Birutė Kabašinskienė, Vilnius: The Church Heritage Museum, 2024, P. 110 - 111; "Bishop, monk, saint: St. The Figure of St. Joseph in the Heritage of the Unitai Church", compiled by Vaiva Vasiliauskaitė, Rita Pauliukevičiūtė, dr. Birutė Kabašinskienė, Vilnius: The Church Heritage Museum, 2025, P. 116 - 117.