Enthroned Virgin and Child

Unknown

ca. 1220 · Limewood with original paint and gilding · The Cloisters

Among the early images in the West to emphasize the motherly rapport of the Virgin Mary to the Christ child, this devotional sculpture is exceptional for its well-preserved polychromy. Recent conservation treatment removed overpaint, revealing the extraordinary finesse of the original decoration. The abundant use of gold underscores the regal nature of the figures, while the detailed rendering of the faces makes their humanity palpable.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1220

Medium

Limewood with original paint and gilding

Culture

Mosan or Lower-Rhenish

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 2002