Giovanni Battista Lenardi was a prolific artist in 17th century Rome. In high demand, he provided numerous frescoes and altarpieces for the many churches that were being erected at the time. This altarpiece, representing the Assumption of the Virgin, hung for centuries in the Church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami, near the Roman Forum. The saint on the left is Saint Nicholas of Myra—a bishop of the Eastern Church represented wearing accurate Orthodox rather than Catholic vestments. The saint acquired popularity in later centuries as the model for Santa Claus. It is the only full-fledged example of a Baroque altarpiece in LACMA's collection.

This painting is on view in the Ahmanson Building, Level 3.