Assumption of the Virgin – Corciano
On December, 18 1512 Pietro “de Castro Plebis” signed a contract with the procurator of the church of Santa Maria, Antonio di Cristoforo Ciacci and the representative of the community of Corciano Luca di Matteo Baroni, for he had to realize an altarpiece, following a bequest of 1509, with the aim of the improvement works of the whole church.
Our Lady is depicted while she is being assumed into Heaven within a luminous almond, surrounded by cherubim and musical angels; beneath her, the incredulous apostles are invested with her light and join their hands in prayer. The composition is inspired by some works already realized by Perugino, such as the altarpieces for the Florentine church of Santissima Annunziata and in the Cathedral of Naples. The clients must have appreciated the result, since they do not delay the payment of the three installments of the agreed sum of 100 florins.
The two predella tablets, representing the Annunciation and the Nativity, are probably made by Perugino’s workshop students.
The panel is preserved in the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Corciano.
