French, Ile-de-France
Virgin and Child, 14th century
Polychromed limestone , 128.3 x 47 x 30.5 cm (50 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 12 in.)
General admission for children 17 years and under is always free
This is a full-length, limestone sculpture of the Virgin and Child standing on a pedestal. The veiled Virgin holds the Child up high on her left side, to her left breast. Her left arm wraps around the Child and her right hand holds his left foot. The Virgin has a roundish face with wide-set eyes, a long nose, and a cleft in her chin. Her face tilts down slightly to look at the Child. In addition to the elbow-length veil, she wears a flowing robe with folds curving up from her right to left side. The tips of her feet extend out from under the robe. The Virgin’s body stance is describing an S shaped curve, conferring it an air of grace and stability. The Child is seen in profile from his left side. He has molded wavy hair and round cheeks. He nurses at the Virgin’s left breast, which seems extremely high, almost at her shoulder. There is some evidence of paint on the Virgin and Child’s robes and on the figures’ hair.
Chinese Loggia
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.