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Virgin and Child Flemish Sculptor Sculptor of Bruges (previous attribution)

Artist

Flemish Sculptor 15th century

Sculptor of Bruges (previous attribution) active between 1440 and 1450

Culture Netherlandish
Date 1440–1450
Object type sculpture
Medium, technique alabaster
Dimensions

24 × 10.5 × 6 cm, 1 kg

Inventory number 5177
Collection Sculptures
On view Museum of Fine Arts, First Floor, European Art 1250-1600, Cabinet 20

Mary, who is wearing a crown, a veil, and a big cloak, is holding the infant Jesus, who, in turn, bears in his right hand an apple, the symbol of redemption. The statue is an outstanding example of the alabaster Madonnas made for devotional purpose that had become increasingly common in the Netherlands. Despite its small size, the sculpture has both a powerful overall effect and gently formed details. Many of the details reflect the influence of fifteenth-century Netherlandish painting. The shape of Mary’s head and the rich pleating of her cloak bear witness to the strong influence of works by Jan van Eyck, especially the illusionistic figures in his grisaille paintings. Although there have been many attempts to identify the place where the statuette was made, it was not possible to establish a firm link with a particular city.

References

Balogh, Jolán, Katalog der ausländischen Bildwerke des Museums der bildenden Künste in Budapest, IV – XVIII. Jahrhundert: 1. Textband Bd. 1, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1975, p. 200-201., no. 280.

Szmodisné Eszláry, Éva, A Régi Szoborgyűjtemény kincsei, Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest, 1994, p. 10, 41-42, ill. 36.

Szmodisné Eszláry, Éva, The treasures of the Old Sculpture collection, Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest, 1994, p. 10, 41.

The Museum of Fine Arts Budapest: guide, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, 2006, p. 146-147, no. 194.

This record is subject to revision due to ongoing research.

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