Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog number |
88.1.20 |
Artist |
Unknown |
Title |
The Madonna and Christ Child |
Date |
1550-1600 |
Object Name |
Sculpture |
Description |
In 1431 the Council of Ephesus sanctioned the cult of the Virgin Mary, and images of the Virgin and Child for private devotional use, or "devotio moderna" ("Devotio moderna" combined humanism and Christianity and pushed believers to pursue a personal relationship with Christ through private devotion and the reading of scripture), quickly followed. During medieval and Renaissance times, Mary was central to Catholic spirituality as the mediator between humankind and Christ. Most images of the Virgin stress her role as Christ's mother, showing her standing and holding her son. In this sculpture, Mary is represented as the Queen of Heaven, as can be seen by her crown, ornate necklace, long robe, and the scepter she holds in her left hand. This sculpture, done on a modest scale, helped one's spiritual endeavors since it made the object of prayers more tangible. Through this piece, the owner was encouraged to contemplate the life of Christ and the Virgin as if they were present. It encouraged the owner to form a personal, emotional relationship with the holy figures. In his extremely influential "Meditations" on the Life of Christ, the 14th-century Franciscan author Pseudo-Bonaventure writes that the reader should "kiss the beautiful little feet of the infant Jesus who lies in the manger and beg his mother to offer to let you hold him a while. Pick him up and hold him in your arms. Gaze on his face with devotion and reverently kiss and delight in him." In this work, the folds on the Virgin's robe and the feet of Jesus are somewhat worn down and smooth, probably from the owner rubbing or kissing it during prayer. The hands of the child, and the Madonna's left hand, parts of her left arm and feet, and possibly her crown, have been restored in a different wood. Citation: Extract taken from essay by Lauren Nuzzolo, in "SCHOLARS, EXPLORERS, PRIESTS, How the Renaissance Gave Us the Modern World," ex. cat. G -T M, Queens College, CUNY, February 2 - March 27, 2010, 17. |
Medium/Material |
Boxwood |
Dimensions |
H-10 W-6 D-3 inches |
Year Range from |
1550 |
Year Range to |
1600 |
Exhibition and Publication History |
*"From Under Wraps. RecentAcquisitions, 1988-1993," # 42, 1993-94 * Exhibited Hillwood Art Museum, Mary at the 3rd Millennium, 2000 * "SCHOLARS, EXPLORERS, PRIESTS, How the Renaissance Gave Us the Modern World," Curated by James M. Saslow, G -T M, Queens College, CUNY, February 2 - March 27, 2010, # 17, ill. |
Culture |
Italian |