FRENCH SCHOOL. ***** N. POUSSIN. ***** FRENCH MUSEUM.

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THE ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN.

The Virgin was not martyrized like so many other saints whose fete is solemnized on the anniversary day of their martyrdom; but the time and place of her death are unknown; although some pretend she died at Ephesus and was taken up to heaven.

Poussin has represented this identical moment, and done what few painters had been able to do, avoided the double action; for, instead of placing at the bottom of the picture the apostles and holy women as witnesses of that extraordinary event, he has shown us the Virgin ascending in the airy expanse, surrounded by angels; and merely exhibits a few monumental buildings denoting a large city, to show that the scene is taking place when the Virgin has just left the earth to hasten to the bosom of the Divinity, there to enjoy unutterable blessedness.

This picture has been engraved by Pesne.

Height, I foot 7 inches; breath, I foot 3 inches.

15.