Artwork Page for Virgin and Child

Details / Information for Virgin and Child

Virgin and Child

late 1200s

Mosan (Valley of the Meuse), Liège(?), late 13th century

Medium
wood (oak) with polychromy and gilding
Measurements
Overall: 83 x 24 x 20 cm (32 11/16 x 9 7/16 x 7 7/8 in.)
Weight: 6.96 kg (15.34 lbs.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 2014.392
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
106C Medieval Treasury
Print
?

Did You Know?

Dragons, like the one Mary is standing on, sometimes look more like snakes in medieval art.

Description

This sculpture is a rare survival in wood from the valley of the Meuse River (modern Belgium and Holland), an important region for the production of ecclesiastical art in the 1100s and 1200s. The elegantly draped figure is remarkable for the preservation of much of its original paint and gilding, including the Virgin's gilded mantle highlighted with decorative bands of geometric patterns and the green dragon on which she stands. There are small settings around the Virgin's neck and along the border of the mantle that would have originally been set with gem and glass cabochons in imitation of the richly adorned metalwork for which Mosan art was highly esteemed. The settings for these cabochons provide some hint of the original opulence of this sculpture. The Virgin's serene features and beautiful countenance are noteworthy, as is the refined execution of the draperies.
A gilded wood sculpture depicts a woman holding a child with her left hand. She is elegantly draped and wears a hood over her head. She is missing her right arm and the child she is holding is missing a head and arms.

Virgin and Child

late 1200s

Mosan (Valley of the Meuse), Liège(?), late 13th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork