Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin

The relief of the Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin by Andrea di Cione [Orcagna], mainly active as a painter but also known for his architectural and sculptural works, can be found in the Orsanmichele in Florence. The lower part of the relief depicts the Dormition and the upper part the Assumption of the Virgin. The composition of the two scenes is on the verso of the tabernacle containing Bernardo Daddi’s Virgin and Child altarpiece. At the time, the building was a grain market and was only later converted into a church. The Gothic “edifice”, decorated with marble, gemstones and stained glass inlays, was commissioned by the confraternity of the Madonna di Orsanmichele and used to protect Bernardo Daddi’s altar painting.