The Virgin and Child, Saint Anne, and Saint Emerentia

Unknown

1515–30 · Limewood, paint and gilding · Medieval Art

The seated group of the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, and Saint Anne is the core of the Holy Kinship (in German, Anna Selbdritt, referring to three generations of the Holy Family). A favored subject in Germany, the theme was made popular by the widespread devotion to Saint Anne encouraged by lay devotional groups dedicated to her at this time. Such ensembles were often enlarged to include other saints. Here, the additional figure, standing at the back, depicts Saint Emerentia, the name given to the maternal grandmother of the Virgin Mary. The fragmentary inscription in Gothic letters across the base once identified each of the figures.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1515–30

Medium

Limewood, paint and gilding

Culture

German

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1916