Cleveland Museum of Art

Triptych: The Life of the Virgin

Date

c. 1325–1350

Medium

ivory, traces of gilding

Culture

France, Lorraine?, or Austria?, Gothic period, 14th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Virgin and Child, standing beneath a three-part arch, occupy the central plaque of this triptych. On the wings are carved four scenes from the life of the Virgin: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Adoration of the Magi, and Christ's Presentation in the Temple. By the end of the 12th century, devotional objects like this became widespread in many parts of Western Europe as a result of the growing cult of the Virgin. The pinnacle, roof moldings, and base are modern additions attached before the object entered our collection.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.