Head of a King

Unknown

ca. 1150–75 · Limestone · Medieval Art

A recently discovered photograph taken about 1906–10 seems to confirm earlier speculation that this head comes from Notre-Dame-dela-Couldre in Parthenay. Following the French Revolution, the church was secularized, sold, and demolished by its new owner. Certain aspects of this sculpture, such as the striated hair and the thick upper lip, are characteristic of Parthenay production. Although its original placement and identification remain unknown, the head may have belonged to a large figure on horseback, set in profile, on the church’s façade.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1150–75

Medium

Limestone

Culture

French

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frederic B. Pratt, 1944