The Virgin and Child and the Crucifixion
Panel
ca. 1300 (made)
ca. 1300 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is an ivory centre panel from a triptych made in about 1300 in France, probably in Paris. This panel is in two tiers depicting above, the Crucifixion and below, the Virgin and Child with angels bearing candlesticks. This paenl is probably made in the same workshop as V&A Mus. no. 7592-1861: it is of almost identical size, facture, composition and style.
The Gothic Triptych was to all intents and purposes a sub-branch of the tabernacle polyptych, with a shallower central panel and two, rather than four, hinged wings. The subject matter was the same, dominated by single images of the standing Virgin and Child and scenes from the infancy of Christ. Triptychs – like diptychs – are better suited to the needs of a travelling clientele, who would wish to take these small portable altars with them as aids to prayer. Some of them were intended to be carried in cases, usually of cuir bouilli (boiled leather).
The Gothic Triptych was to all intents and purposes a sub-branch of the tabernacle polyptych, with a shallower central panel and two, rather than four, hinged wings. The subject matter was the same, dominated by single images of the standing Virgin and Child and scenes from the infancy of Christ. Triptychs – like diptychs – are better suited to the needs of a travelling clientele, who would wish to take these small portable altars with them as aids to prayer. Some of them were intended to be carried in cases, usually of cuir bouilli (boiled leather).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Virgin and Child and the Crucifixion (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved and stained elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Panel, ivory, central panel from a triptych depicting the Virgin and Child and the Crucifixion, France (probably Paris), about 1300 |
| Physical description | Centre panel from a triptych divided into two tiers: depicting above, under a trefoil arch, is the Crucifixion with Christ between the Virgin and St. John the Evangalist, both holding books, the Virgin with a halo incised in the background. The sun and moon emerge from clouds above the arms of the cross, at right and left respectively. Below, under a trfoil arch and crocketed gable with flanking pinnacles, is the standing Virgin and Child. She is crowned by an angel above and flanked by two standing angels once bearing candles. In the spandrels above are trilobed openings. The top of the panel is truncated. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | In the possession of John Webb, London, by 1862; purchased from Webb in 1867 (£15). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is an ivory centre panel from a triptych made in about 1300 in France, probably in Paris. This panel is in two tiers depicting above, the Crucifixion and below, the Virgin and Child with angels bearing candlesticks. This paenl is probably made in the same workshop as V&A Mus. no. 7592-1861: it is of almost identical size, facture, composition and style. The Gothic Triptych was to all intents and purposes a sub-branch of the tabernacle polyptych, with a shallower central panel and two, rather than four, hinged wings. The subject matter was the same, dominated by single images of the standing Virgin and Child and scenes from the infancy of Christ. Triptychs – like diptychs – are better suited to the needs of a travelling clientele, who would wish to take these small portable altars with them as aids to prayer. Some of them were intended to be carried in cases, usually of cuir bouilli (boiled leather). |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 240-1867 |
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| Record created | October 14, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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