Oil on copper, 35cm by 30cm.
The painting depicts the moment when the Virgin’s body and soul were transported into Heaven after her death.
It was one of several acquired from the Barberini Palace in Rome by Brownlow, 9th Earl of Exeter (1725-1793) whilst on the Grand Tour.
The artist, born Domenico Zampieri in Bologna, later became known as Domenichino, or little Domenico, because of his short stature.
He initially studied in Bologna under Denys Calvaert, before moving to Rome, to the studio of the Carraccis, where he became one of their most talented apprentices.
