Mourning Virgin

Unknown

13th century · Wood and paint · Medieval Art

Carved almost in the round, this figure and that of John the Evangelist to the right of the door originally flanked a sculpture of Christ on the cross. The group was probably installed on a beam that spanned the width of a church choir. The figures reminded the faithful of the words in John's Gospel (19:26-27): "When Jesus therefore has seen his mother and the disciple whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman behold thy son. After that he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother."

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th century

Medium

Wood and paint

Culture

Austrian

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of Thomas F. Ryan, 1912