I agree with the critics that, as the Spirit descended in form of cloven tongues of fire, the emblem of the Dove, almost always introduced, is here superfluous, and, indeed, out of place.

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I must mention here another subject altogether apocryphal, and confined to the late Spanish and Italian schools:  The Virgin receives the sacramental wafer from the hand of St. John the Evangelist.  This is frequently misunderstood, and styled the Communion of Mary Magdalene.  But the long hair and uncovered head of the Magdalene, and the episcopal robe of St. Maximin, are in general distinguishable from the veiled matronly head of the Virgin Mother, and the deacon’s vest of St. John.  There is also a legend that Mary received baptism from St. Peter; but this is a subject I have never met with in art, ancient or modern.  It may possibly exist.

I am not acquainted with any representations taken from the sojourn on earth of the Blessed Virgin from this time to the period of her death, the date of which is uncertain.  It is, however, generally supposed to have taken place in the forty-eighth year of our era, and about eleven years after the Crucifixion, therefore in her sixtieth year.  There is no distinct record, either historical or legendary, as to the manner in which she passed these years.  There are, indeed, floating traditions alluded to by the early theological writers, that when the first persecution broke out at Jerusalem, Mary accompanied St. John the Evangelist to Ephesus, and was attended thither by the faithful and affectionate Mary Magdalene.  Also that she dwelt for some time on Mount Carmel, in an oratory erected there by the prophet Elijah, and hence became the patroness of the Carmelites, under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (La Madonna del Carmine, or del Carmelo).  If there exist any creations of the artists founded on these obscure traditions, which is indeed most probable, particularly in the edifices of the Carmelites in Spain, I have not met with them.

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It is related that before the apostles separated to obey the command of their divine Master, and preach the gospel to all the nations of the earth, they took a solemn leave of the Virgin Mary, and received her blessing.  This subject has been represented, though not by any distinguished artist.  I remember such a picture, apparently of the sixteenth century, in the Church of S. Maria-in-Capitolio at Cologne, and another, by Bissoni, in the San Giustina at Padua. (Sacred and Legendary Art.)

THE DEATH AND ASSUMPTION Of THE VIRGIN

Lat. Dormitio, Pausatio, Transitus, Assumptio, B. Virginis. Ital. Il Transito di Maria.  Il Sonno della Beata Vergine.  L’ Assunzione. Fr. La Mort de la Vierge.  L’Assomption. Ger. Das Absterben der Maria.  Maria Himmelfahrt.  August, 13, 15.