Alabaster panel depicting the Visitation. English, 15th century.

There are two plain borders on either side of the panel. The Virgin Mary, with long hair and wearing a fillet on her head, stands on the left of the panel, facing Elizabeth, her couisn. Her right hand, forefinger extended, is held raised at waist level, her left hand rests on her cousin's abdomen as though to bless the unborn child. St. Elizabeth, wearing a barbe and a veil over her head, stands on the right of the panel facing the Virgin, her left hand raised at waist level, her right hand reaching under the Virgin's outstretched arm to rest on her abdomen. Both women wear gowns and cloaks over their shoulders.

The top of the panel is missing, the corners broken off behind the heads and shoulders of the women. There is a hole between the heads of the two figures. Green paint and the usual daisy pattern remain on the ground at the bottom of the panel. Considerable traces of paint and gilding remain on the panel, with small gesso bosses on the upper background. There is red in the folds of Elizabeth's cloak, blue in the folds of the Virgin's cloak and gilding on the Virgin's hair. There are traces of gilding on the background where red paint appears to have been used as a primer. The back of the panel is scratched with a Z. There are four lead-plugged holes, two with latten wires attached. The bottom has been cut away.

Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA

Acquired by Dr W. L. Hildburgh in Paris. On loan from him since 1926. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946.

Historical significance: The Visitation is a surprisingly uncommon subject is English medieval alabaster work, although the placing of the hands on the abdomens is the gesture usually shown. There are only some four other representations of this subject in English alabaster.

This scene represents the meeting of the Virgin Mary with her cousin Elizabeth after learning of their miraculous pregnancies. The top of this panel is missing and from other surviving panels it seems likely that originally there were angels shown behind the figures.

A.78-1946