Maria-Tenhemelopneming 1694 - 1755

Nicolas de Larmessin III created this print, Maria-Tenhemelopneming, using engraving. This image depicts the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, a popular subject during the Baroque period, particularly in Catholic countries like France, where Larmessin lived. We can consider it within the context of religious institutions and the powerful role the church played in shaping cultural values. The visual codes in the image, such as the upward gaze and outstretched arms of Mary, as well as the presence of angels, are familiar from religious art across Europe. What might be less obvious is the way these visual codes were used to reinforce religious doctrine during a time of social upheaval and religious conflict. The print could be seen as a conservative statement, reaffirming traditional beliefs in the face of new philosophical ideas brought forward during the Enlightenment. To understand this print more fully, we can look at theological texts, art criticism, and social histories of 18th-century France, allowing us to understand the complex interplay between art, religion, and society.