Fragment of a Wall Painting of a Koimesis in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 2011

Fragment of a Wall Painting Depicting a Koimesis Depicting an Archangel and St. John of Damascus
Fresco
Byzantine
Painted 1150-1350

On loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from a Private Collection in Geneva, Accession # L.1997.88.1.2

Images of the Koimesis (Falling Asleep), called the Dormition in the West, show archangels joining Christ and the apostles at the Virgin's bier to escort her soul to heaven. The great theologian Saint John of Damascus (ca. 675-754), who wrote many hymns celebrating the Virgin's assumption into heaven, is often depicted with the apostles in later Byzantine examples, as here. The Koimesis is one of the most important middle Byzantine icon types. A large representation of the subject was often painted on the west wall of Byzantine churches.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.