The Death of the Virgin acquired in 1944 by the Legion of Honor Art Museum in San Francisco is an oil painting on a panel created sometime in the late fifteenth century in Swabia, Germany by an unknown artist, portraying the Virgin Mary surrounded by the twelve apostles.
Towards the end of the fifteenth century, however, it was common for works of art to include more aspects of secular life and create a more human connection to the painting.
Around her bed are the twelve apostles, who appear to be in a kind of funerary ritual, as one can be seen reading from a book, another is sprinkling her with water, and another is holding incense.
The Death of the Virgin is inspired by a legend which originated in the fifth century, as it is nowhere to be found in any book from the Bible.
The legend is also known as the Dormition of Theotokos (“the one who gave birth to God”), and originated mostly likely in the Byzantine world, working its way westward into Europe.