The Virgin
Statuette
ca. 1480 (made)
ca. 1480 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figure of the Virgin Mary originally formed part of a Calvary group. Calvary was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified. The group included this figure, together a figure of Saint John the Evangelist (Museum no. 714D-1895), with the Crucifixion at the centre. Such groups were usually set on a beam that supported the rood or cross in a church. They were found everywhere in the late Middle Ages. However, these particular figures have a very distinctive style. This allows us to be reasonably certain that they were made in the region around Tournai and north-western Hainaut (Belgium). Most sculptors in this area worked in oak. Limewood figures, such as this piece, are unusual.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Virgin (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved limewood, painted and gilded |
| Brief description | Wood polychrome Flemish 15th cent |
| Dimensions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This figure of the Virgin Mary originally formed part of a Calvary group. Calvary was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified. The group included this figure, together a figure of Saint John the Evangelist (Museum no. 714D-1895), with the Crucifixion at the centre. Such groups were usually set on a beam that supported the rood or cross in a church. They were found everywhere in the late Middle Ages. However, these particular figures have a very distinctive style. This allows us to be reasonably certain that they were made in the region around Tournai and north-western Hainaut (Belgium). Most sculptors in this area worked in oak. Limewood figures, such as this piece, are unusual. |
| Associated object | 714D-1895 (Set) |
| Bibliographic reference | Williamson, Paul, Netherlandish Sculpture 1450-1550, London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002. 160p., ill. ISBN 1851773738. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 714C-1895 |
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| Record created | December 5, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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