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Virgin and Child

Italian (Lombardy or Emilia-Romagna)
Medieval (Romanesque)
1125-1150
Object Place: Europe, Italy, Lombardy or Emilia-Romagna

Medium/Technique Limestone with polychromy
Dimensions 74 x 40 x 22 cm (29 1/8 x 15 3/4 x 8 11/16 in.)
Credit Line Maria Antoinette Evans Fund
Accession Number57.583
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSculpture
This image is an early example in Italian sculpture of a new devotional emphasis on the humanity of Christ. It stresses the warm intimacy between mother and son as they draw their heads together and look into each other's eyes, with the child reaching his arms around Mary's neck. The figure of Christ looks more like a small man than a baby; perhaps this was meant to recall the Old Testament song of Songs, in which the bride and groom came to be seen as references to Mary and Christ. Carved completely in the round, this stone sculpture would have been placed upon an altar, inspiring prayer and meditation.

ProvenanceBy 1955, Luigi Albrighi, Florence; 1957, sold by Albrighi to the MFA for $23,000. (Accession Date: September 12, 1957)

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