Cleveland Museum of Art

Virgin and Child

Date

c. 1385–90

Medium

limestone with traces of polychromy

Culture

France, Loire Valley, 14th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The vibrant naturalism of the Virgin’s face and long flowing hair, as well as the deep, rich folds of drapery are characteristic of the work of itinerant artists from the Netherlands who found employment at the Valois courts of France at Paris, Berry, and Burgundy. Their native styles and attention to realistic detail fused with native French artistic traditions toward the end of the 14th century and took root. The original source of this Virgin and Child is unknown, but its style suggests a relationship with similar sculptures made for churches and abbeys of the Central Loire Valley. The additional influence of the style of the sculptor André Beauneveu has also been noted for this sculpture. His commissions were abundant and his influence widespread. The sculptor of this work appears to have had some knowledge of Beauneveu’s work in the Loire region. This sculpture was painted over many times over its history, common for medieval sculpture.

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