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Enthroned Virgin and Child

1150–1200
On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 04
The stark and rhythmic lines of this sculpture are almost modern in their effect. In fact, this seemingly straightforward image of the infant Jesus seated rigidly on the Virgin’s lap represents a complex, medieval theological notion known as a Sedes Sapientiae (Throne of Wisdom), in which Mary serves as a throne for Christ, who in turn embodies divine wisdom. Placed on an altar, this imposing group was an object of veneration that could also be carried in procession or incorporated into a theatrical performance within a church. A circular cavity in the Virgin’s left shoulder suggests that the sculpture contained a relic. Recent conservation treatment has revealed remains of the original painted and applied metal decoration. A Virgin and Child (16.32.194) probably by the same artist is on view in the Main Building of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Enthroned Virgin and Child
  • Date: 1150–1200
  • Geography: Made in Auvergne, France
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Walnut with gesso, paint, tin leaf, traces of linen, and possible human remains
  • Dimensions: 27 × 11 1/4 × 11 in. (68.6 × 28.6 × 27.9 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection and James J. Rorimer Memorial Fund, 1967
  • Object Number: 67.153
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Virgin and Child in Majesty, Walnut with paint, tin relief on a lead white ground, and linen, French
Virgin and Child in Majesty
French
ca. 1175–1200
Torso of Christ, Poplar, gesso, paint, and metal leaf, French
Torso of Christ
French
late 12th century
Font, stone, iron, French
Font
French
late 11th century
Enthroned Virgin and Child, Birch with paint and glass, French
Enthroned Virgin and Child
French
ca. 1130–1140
Tomb Effigy of a Lady, Limestone, French
Tomb Effigy of a Lady
French
mid-13th century

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