Explore the Description of this artwork, Assumption of the Virgin (Titian).
The figures are in three zones, divided by spaces filled only with light.  On the ground are the Apostles, tightly packed in a group and in a variety of dramatic poses, most looking up at the unprecedented sight of the Virgin Mary rising to heaven. They are shown in a variety of poses, ranging from gazing in awe, to kneeling and reaching for the skies, "monumental figures ... massed in collective movement, united with shadow, heroic gestures are given a silhouette of unprecedented boldness".In the centre zone, the Virgin Mary stands on clouds, wrapped in a red robe and blue mantle, and also makes a gesture of astonishment.  Around her "throngs of angels are melted into clouds irradiated by heavenly light".  Above is God the Father, who is about to be handed a crown for Mary by the angel to the right (see above).
Titian broke with tradition by omitting all landscape elements, although the blue-grey sky above the apostles shows the scene is set outdoors. The sky contrasts with the golden heavenly light in the upper zones, which recalls the gold ground traditional in mosaics such as those still being made in San Marco, and the gold ground paintings of the Gothic period.Altogether there are twelve apostles, some only visible by a small area of their face. Saint Peter sits at the centre with his hands together in prayer, and Saint John the Evangelist is the younger man in red to the left of him; the others are probably not intended to be identifiable.  The painting is signed "TITIANUS" on the sarcophagus below St Peter.
mosaic Titian Saint Peter Virgin Mary gold ground Apostles God the Father John the Evangelist San Marco