The Virgin and Child

Medieval

V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum)

1175 - 1220

The Virgin is depicted seated on a bench holding the Child on her left knee. His right hand is raised, blessing and on His left knee are traces of an object, perhaps a book, on which His left hand probably rested. The carving, which was evidently intended to stand under a tabernacle on an altar, retains traces of successive coats of paint. In spite of the fact that it is quite worn and damaged, it was seen as a work of the greatest importance due to the extreme rarity of English wood figures of the period. Though it bears a certain resemblance to French wood carvings, such as the Virgin and Child at Gassicourt, it seems undoubtedly to be of English workmanship.

• Medium: oak
• Dimensions: 38 cm
• ArtFunded in: 1925
• Presented by E R D Maclagan through The Art Fund

Provenance

Langham Hall, Colchester

Add your comments about this artwork Hide this form

Have your say