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Virgin and Child
(Medieval Europe )
The first such ivory figurines of the Virgin and Child appeared around 1225 and were inspired by the monumental stone sculpture on the portals of Gothic cathedrals. This piece contains a number of symbolic details: The crown identifies the Virgin as the Queen of Heaven. The lily she holds stands for her purity. The orb in Christ's hand reminds the viewer that the infant child is also the creator and ruler of the universe. The elegant sway of the Virgin's body reflects the curve of the elephant tusk from which the figure was carved. Ivory became widely available in western Europe after the Fourth Crusade of 1204 opened the commercial routes leading from Constantinople through Egypt to the interior of Africa.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Carlo Micheli (Micaëli), Paris, by purchase; Octave Homberg, Paris [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Dr. de Saint Germain, Paris [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Henri Daguerre, Paris [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1922, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2008-2009 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Museum of Biblical Art, New York; Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville; Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha. |
| 2007-2008 | Déjà Vu? Recurrence. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2002-2005 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. |
| 2001-2002 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. |
| 1999-2000 | Vive la France! French Treasures from the Middle Ages to Monet. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1962 | The International Style: The Arts in Europe Around 1400. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Geographies
France, Paris (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 8 1/2 x W: 2 11/16 x D: 2 1/4 in. (21.6 x 6.8 x 5.7 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1922
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.
71.287