Virgin and Child, from an Adoration Group

Hans Thoman

ca. 1515–20 · Limewood with polychromy · Medieval Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has possessed the sculptures of the Three Magi (see. acc. no. 51.28a, b) offering their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh in its collection since 1951. In 2013 the Museum had the exceptional opportunity to acquire the Virgin and Child and reunite these sculptures, originally part of a large altarpiece that was dismantled in the early nineteenth century. Altarpieces depicting the Adoration of the Magi were widespread in Germany during the late Middle Ages, particularly following the city of Cologne’s acquisition of the Magi’s relics in 1164.

Artist

Hans Thoman

Date

ca. 1515–20

Medium

Limewood with polychromy

Culture

German

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Purchase, Audrey Love Charitable Foundation Gift, 2013