Friday, April 10, 2009

Medieval statuary

Shrine of the Virgin, ca. 1300
German; Made in Rhine Valley
Oak, linen covering, polychromy, gilding, gesso; Overall: 14 1/2 x 13 5/8 x 5 1/8in. (36.8 x 34.6 x 13cm) closed: W. 5in. (12.7cm)
Metropolitan Museum of Art (17.190.185) (Image)

In a search for carved ivory (which will surely be appearing soon in a future post) I came across thia beautiful statuette/altarpiece.

When closed we see the virgin Mary nursing the Christ Child, the child holding a dove (of the Holy Spirit). When opened it turns into an altarpiece. The interior of the 2 side wings of the altarpiece have painted scenes of the nativity.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

why do i find the concept of this piece disturbing? really i don't know but it is.... Q