Archivolt Figure

Description This seated saint was one of a group of sculptures placed on the archivolt (curved arch) of the door of a church. The black limestone comes from quarries near Tournai (Flanders) and was commonly used in churches throughout the Flemish and Mosan regions of present-day Belgium. The style of the figure, with its delicately carved face and thick, simple drapery, is characteristic of Mosan sculpture of this period.

Provenance Joseph Brummer, Paris and New York [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Brummer Sale, Parke-Bernet, New York, June 9, 1949, no. 623; Walters Art Museum, June 9, 1949, by purchase.

Credit Museum purchase, 1949