#23993 Juan de Valdés Leal (1622-1690)

The composition presents a dramatic upward movement, dominated by figures ascending into a cloudy sky. A central figure, presumably female and draped in flowing blue robes with a white undergarment, is depicted rising towards the heavens. Her arms are outstretched in a gesture of supplication or blessing, her face tilted upwards with an expression of serene acceptance.
Flanking this central figure are two youthful male figures with wings, suggesting angelic attendants. They appear to be actively supporting and guiding her ascent, their postures conveying both strength and gentleness. The clouds surrounding them are rendered in a soft, diffused manner, creating a sense of ethereal lightness and divine presence.
Below, a group of onlookers is gathered around what appears to be a stone structure or sarcophagus. Their faces express a range of emotions – awe, wonder, grief, and perhaps disbelief. The figures closest to the viewer display particularly intense reactions; one man with a long beard raises his hands in astonishment, while a woman beside him looks upwards with an expression of profound sorrow.
The color palette is predominantly cool, with blues and whites dominating the upper portion of the painting, contrasting with warmer earth tones for the group below. This contrast reinforces the separation between the earthly realm and the heavenly sphere. The lighting is dramatic, highlighting the ascending figures while casting the onlookers in shadow, further emphasizing their role as witnesses to a momentous event.
Subtly, theres an interplay of vulnerability and power at work. While the central figure appears passive in her ascent, she is actively supported by the angelic beings, suggesting a divine intervention or assistance. The expressions of the crowd below hint at themes of loss, faith, and the mysteries surrounding mortality and transcendence. The overall effect is one of profound spiritual significance, conveying a narrative of ascension and divine grace.