Sculpture of an Enthroned King
Portraying a historical king, such as Solomon, or an allegorical image of the monarch as “the living law” (lex animata), this imposing sculpture must have originated from an important northern Italian civic monument. It is a rare surviving example of the image of a ruler from a civic setting, such as a court of justice or a city gate, and is stylistically related to the work of the influential northern Italian sculptor Benedetto Antelami (act. ca. 1175–1215). It also shows an understanding of French models, especially with respect to the facial features and the thin drapery folds of the mantle.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sculpture of an Enthroned King
- Date: ca. 1230–35
- Geography: Made in Lombardy or Veneto, Italy
- Culture: North Italian
- Medium: Limestone
- Dimensions: Overall: 39 1/2 x 23 1/4 x 26 in. (100.3 x 59.1 x 66 cm)
weight: 626lb. (284kg) - Classification: Sculpture-Stone
- Credit Line: Mrs. Stephen V. Harkness Fund, 1922
- Object Number: 22.31.2
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
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