Virgin and Child, the Crucifixion and Scenes from the Life of Christ
Polyptych
ca. 1310 - ca. 1320 (made)
ca. 1310 - ca. 1320 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Ivory was used all over Europe for religious works of art. It was often combined with precious metals and usually took the form of relief panels, for book covers, portable altars and caskets. An almost unbroken tradition of ivory carving extends from the Roman and Byzantine empires until the end of the 14th century. From about 1250, Paris became the centre of production for figures and reliefs intended for private devotion. Other workshops emerged in Italy and Germany. Venice was one of the centres of ivory carving in Italy. Much of the work was based on French models. Some of the craftsmen may have been trained in Paris as their work often combines French and local styles.
This polytych represents the Virgin and Child, the Crucifixion and Scenes from the Life of Christ and is made in France in about 1320-1330.
This polytych represents the Virgin and Child, the Crucifixion and Scenes from the Life of Christ and is made in France in about 1320-1330.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Virgin and Child, the Crucifixion and Scenes from the Life of Christ (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Elephant ivory, painted and gilded |
| Brief description | Tabernacle Polyptych, ivory, painted and gilded, with the Virgin and Child, the Crucifixion and Scenes from the Life of Christ, German (probably Cologne or Middle Rhine), about 1310-20 |
| Physical description | Painted and gilded ivory polyptych; in the centre, under a canopy is the Crucifixion; below under a triple-arched canopy, the Virgin, seated, holding the Child attended by angels bearing candlesticks. On the wings, beginning at the top and reading across to the opposite wing, are the Flagellation, Christ bearing his cross, and the Entombment; on the second tier, the Visitation, the Annunciation, and the Nativity; on the third tier, the three Kings and the Presentation. The centre of the back is carved with architectural ornament in low relief; on the wings are remains of gilded leaf sprays. Enriched with gold and colours on an ivory base with claw feet, the latter are restorations. |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Bought from the Webb Collection. Formerly in the Debruge-Duménil and Soltykoff Collections. Historical significance: An almost unbroken tradition of ivory carving extends from the Roman and Byzantine empires until the end of the 14th century. From about 1250, Paris became the centre of production for figures and reliefs intended for private devotion and compositions, styles and iconographic concepts of French ivories and large-scale sculpture were soon adapted and imitated. |
| Historical context | The present polyptych is highly likely to have been an object of private devotion. Gothic ivories of religious content are decorated almost exclusively with scenes from the Life of Christ and Mary. Similar events are depicted in manuscripts and large-scale sculpture of the same date. They would have been used in a chapel or part of a room set aside for prayer and meditation. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Ivory was used all over Europe for religious works of art. It was often combined with precious metals and usually took the form of relief panels, for book covers, portable altars and caskets. An almost unbroken tradition of ivory carving extends from the Roman and Byzantine empires until the end of the 14th century. From about 1250, Paris became the centre of production for figures and reliefs intended for private devotion. Other workshops emerged in Italy and Germany. Venice was one of the centres of ivory carving in Italy. Much of the work was based on French models. Some of the craftsmen may have been trained in Paris as their work often combines French and local styles. This polytych represents the Virgin and Child, the Crucifixion and Scenes from the Life of Christ and is made in France in about 1320-1330. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 140-1866 |
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| Record created | December 18, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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