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Virgin and Child in Majesty
$42,049.87
£30,793.37
€35,000
CA$57,240.38
A$64,159.10
CHF 33,405.76
MX$783,410.03
NOK 424,131.77
SEK 402,038.77
DKK 266,360.67
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About the Item
Virgin and child in majesty
Origine: castille
Epoque: early 14th century
Measures: Height: 72cm
Length: 30cm
Depth: 25cm
Polychrome and gilt wood
Good condition
By the middle of the 12th century the Virgin Mary appears in churches seating in majesty and acting as a throne for her child Jesus. She is then called Sedes Sapientiae meaning throne of wisdom. She is not really depicted for herself but rather because she has been designated as Theotokos, mother of God, during the council of Ephesus in 431. The same council promulgated Christ’s nature was divine since his birth.
The theme of the virgin and child in Majesty was particularly important during Medieval times. Pilgrims favoured its development while spreading its iconography.
This Virgin and Child seating on a bench throne wears supple clothes elongating her figure. The dress is belted and the collar is round worn under a coat covering her knees. The pleats of the fabric are absolutely Gothic in style. They adopt a strong V shape with deep angles on the cloak and delicate inclined pleats on the tunic.
The Virgin presents an oval face with a straight nose, a small mouth and small round chin. She wears a crown. Her curly hair spreads on her back in well defined strands.
The child does not adopt the hieratic position of 12th century sculpted groups. He slightly turns his head towards his mother’s hand. Furthermore he is presented unsteady giving a sense of movement as well as producing a deep fold, shaped as an M, in his tunic. This detail is characteristic of Castilian productions from the late 13th century and early 14th century.
Indeed the mother and child lose the hieratic aspect present in previous centuries depictions. They are animated with a new sense of movement. The faces are more realistic and the figures are less elongated than during the 13th century, the proportions are well executed. This leads us to think this work was made during the first decade of the 14th century. The smile appearing on both faces support further this datation.
This Virgin and Child is an exceptional example of 14th century Spanish art and it reached us in an equally exceptional condition.
Literature
Fons del Museu Frederic Marès/1, Catàleg d’escultura i pintura medievals, Ajuntament de Barcelona, 1991.
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 11.82 in (30 cm)Depth: 9.85 in (25 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Early 14th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Saint-Ouen, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3115329587152

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In the middle of the 12th century, the Virgin took her place in churches, seated in Majesty, serving as a throne for her son Jesus. She is then called Sedes Sapientiae, meaning the Throne of Wisdom.
At that time, she is not represented for herself and only exists because she has been designated as Theotokos, the mother of God, at the Council of Ephesus in 431, where the divine nature of Christ was proclaimed from his birth.
The upright and perfectly hieratic bust of this Virgin and Child in Majesty is seated on a throne-bench. She is dressed in a tunic with a rounded neckline and covered with a fine mantle placed on her narrow shoulders. The supple and natural drapery follows the lines of the body.
Large curls frame her face with delicate and regular features, a long straight nose, almond-shaped eyes, and small lips.
She supports the Infant Jesus with her left hand. Like his mother, he is dressed in a long tunic, and his little feet are visible in the folds. He holds a small sphere in his left hand, while with his right hand, he gestures in blessing. The face of Christ bears a strong resemblance to his mother’s one, and he gives a slight smile.
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