Enthroned Virgin and Child

Unknown

ca. 1210–20 · Oak with traces of polychromy · Medieval Art

Crowned as the Queen of Heaven, Mary is seated on a richly ornamented throne, while the infant Jesus holds an orb or apple and blesses. Mary also tramples a dragon in triumph—a visual reference to the Book of Genesis (3:15), in which God declares to the serpent, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman.” The fluid drapery style is a hallmark of northern sculpture about 1200.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1210–20

Medium

Oak with traces of polychromy

Culture

North French

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Bequest of George Blumenthal, 1941