Virgin and Child, with the Crucifixion and the Annunciation, and the Coronation of the Virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
(Medieval Europe )
The central scene of this altarpiece depicts the enthroned Madonna and Child flanked by angels. The Christ Child holds a tiny European goldfinch, a symbol of his resurrection. The bird is tethered, a reminder that, in the 14th century, such animals were kept as pets by children. Angels present Mary with chalices of white flowers, alluding to her purity. On the left appear the Annunciation and the Crucifixion, while Christ's Presentation in the Temple and the Coronation of the Virgin are on the right.
The delicate punch-work decoration and the slender, graceful figures reveal the influence of Sienese painting. Catalan artists learned the style and techniques of Italian painting by examining imported Italian works in local churches; some even traveled to Italy to perfect their craft.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1931 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
1962 | The International Style: The Arts in Europe Around 1400. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
Date | Description | Narrative |
---|---|---|
1/1/1900 | Examination | examined for condition |
12/1/1937 | Examination | examined for condition |
1/1/1991 | Treatment | examined for condition |
1/27/1991 | Treatment | examined for condition |
7/1/2011 | Treatment | cleaned; coated; filled; inpainted; loss compensation |
Geographies
Spain, Catalonia (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 50 1/4 × W: 72 7/16 × D: 1 9/16 in. (127.6 × 184 × 4 cm); Left panel H: 50 1/8 × W: 17 15/16 × D: 1 9/16 in. (127.3 × 45.6 × 4 cm); Center panel H: 50 1/16 × W: 36 1/8 × D: 1 3/8 in. (127.2 × 91.7 × 3.5 cm); Right panel H: 50 1/4 × W: 18 × D: 1 7/16 in. (127.6 × 45.7 × 3.6 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1931
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.468