Madonna and Child

Kriebel Jürgen

ca. 1620–25 · Ivory · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Kriebel, one of the few North German sculptors, carved this plaque from a single piece of ivory. He took advantage of the material’s softness to create a background of clouded sky. Paper thin and translucent, the ivory allows light to pass through and illuminate the Madonna’s downturned head as she gazes adoringly at her sleeping child’s peaceful face. The pair’s smooth skin is enhanced by the surrounding folds of layered drapery of the Madonna’s clothing and of the blankets cradling the infant Christ.

Artist

Kriebel Jürgen

Date

ca. 1620–25

Medium

Ivory

Culture

German, Magdeburg

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gifts, H. Rodes and Patricia Hart Gift, Ruth and Victoria Blumka Fund, and Gifts in memory of Olga Raggio, 2010