Glories from the Life of the Virgin Mary

Stained-glass window V35 is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and tells three key episodes in the life of Jesus' mother. The window was made by Corrado de Mochis from Cologne between 1565 and 1567, in collaboration with Pietro Angelo Sesini, based on cartoons by Giovanni da Monte.

The 1566 inscription, P.A.S.F.—Petrus Angelus Sesinius fecit, or Pietro Angelo Sesini made this—at the feet of the departed Virgin, indicates Sesini's involvement.

As does the signature "Giovanni da Monte fecit" (Giovanni da Monte made this). The creators gave life to a work whose style highlights a decisive break with the glass-work tradition displayed throughout the Cathedral.

The scenes develop over several panels and are wide-ranging, going beyond the confines of individual sections. At the base of the window is the episode called The Descent of the Holy Spirit.

Mary is represented in the central panel, surrounded by the Apostles. All of the figures are directing their gaze—as she is—upwards, observing the descent of the Spirit.

How is the Holy Spirit represented? It has the likeness of a white dove, descending from the sky against a powerful background made up of yellow tiles, strong and evocative.

Continuing upwards, there are gradual changes in shading, with blue, brick-red, and green tones standing out. Now, a change of scene.

The mantle that covers Mary's body in the Dormition of Mary scene is blue. The Virgin is depicted as laying down theatrically at the scene's center, surrounded by a number of figures.

There are men and women praying, depicted in attitudes of sorrow, upset and shaken by the tragedy of the moment.

Within this archetypal ascension into heaven, one passes progressively from the earthly dimension into the spiritual one, in a seemingly unstoppable upward motion.

It draws the eyes, increasing the narrative tension that heralds the pivotal crowning moment of the stained-glass window.

Mary is depicted as being surrounded by clouds and cherubim as she is assumed into Heaven.

Her face is serene and full of grace. The Lord is with her.

Just above the Virgin, a group of jubilant, rejoicing cherubim closes off the window, which was commissioned by Saint Charles Borromeo in 1565.

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