The Death of the Virgin

Albrecht Altdorfer

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a group of figures huddled under an arched ceiling. The scene is set in what appears to be a darkened, enclosed space with a vaulted ceiling. The figures are closely gathered together in the lower half of the image. Each individual is rendered in considerable detail, with their heads bowed. The texture of the stone ceiling and the drapery of their garments are captured using dense cross-hatching techniques. The positioning and composition suggest a moment of focus and collaboration among the group.