id:			170433
accession number:	2012.52.a
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/2012.52.a
updated:		2023-03-22 03:04:55.657000

Virgin and Child in Majesty (base) , c. 1150–1200. France, Auvergne, 2nd half of the 12th century. Polychrome wood (walnut); overall: 40 x 22 x 24 cm (15 3/4 x 8 11/16 x 9 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2012.52.a

title:				Virgin and Child in Majesty (base) 
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			c. 1150–1200
creation date earliest:		1150
creation date latest:		1200
current location:		106B Romanesque & Gothic Sculpture
creditline:			Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
copyright:			

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culture:	France, Auvergne, 2nd half of the 12th century
technique:	polychrome wood (walnut)
department:	Medieval Art
collection:	MED - Romanesque
type:		Sculpture
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

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measurements: Overall: 40 x 22 x 24 cm (15 3/4 x 8 11/16 x 9 7/16 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

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PROVENANCE

	Collection of Marcel Gimond (1894-1961); Collection of Pierre Lévy, Troyes (1907-2002); Heirs and estate of Pierre Levy (2002-2011); Gallery Brimo de Laroussilhe, Paris (2011-present)
	date: 
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


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fun fact:
In this sculpture of Mary and Jesus, their heads are detachable.

digital description:


wall description:
This sculpture belongs to a group of early representations of the Virgin and Child known as the Sedes Sapientiae (the Throne of Wisdom). The subject embodies a complex and core Christian doctrine of the Virgin’s role in the Incarnation (the moment in which Christ became flesh) and ultimately in the redemption of humankind. Mary faces forward, her gaze toward the beholder. As she is seated on a throne, she in turn becomes the throne to the Christ child, thus symbolizing her role in giving birth not only to the human Jesus, but also to the divine Christ. The Incarnation gave Mary a unique role as principal mediator between heaven and earth, and between God and humankind. As a result, her image proliferated in art, especially after the 12th century, a period in which there was surging interest in Mary’s life and increasing devotion to her person and images. The sculpture belongs to a rare group of surviving figures produced in the Auvergne region of central France during the second half of the 12th century. These "Auvergne" Virgins are estimated to number only about 25 or 30 and are characterized by their linear, calligraphic draperies, which form beautiful swirls and contours. All such sculptures are smaller than life-size and made of wood in order to make them mobile. Evidence suggests that they were moved from altar to altar or church to church, and were frequently carried in procession within churches and town streets on Marian feast days. The heads were intentionally removable in order to "dress" them in costumes for such processions.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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IMAGES