Virgin and Child
- Culture
- possibly German
- Culture
- possibly South Netherlandish
- Date
- c.1460
- Material
- Alabaster with traces of paint
- Classification
- Sculpture, stone & mineral
- Collection
- European Art to 1800
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 222
- Dimensions
- sculpture: 21 1/2 x 6 x 4 in. (54.6 x 15.2 x 10.2 cm)
base: 2 1/2 x 7 x 4 1/2 in. (6.4 x 17.8 x 11.4 cm) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 12:1922
NOTES
This figure of the Virgin forms a subtle s-curve from her inclined head through the curving sweep of her lower torso and gown, exemplifying the elegance of Late Gothic sculpture. Mary holds her infant son Jesus high against her chest and turns him slightly to present him to the viewer. The bird, probably a goldfinch, and the grapes are symbolic. In medieval lore, the goldfinch was associated with Christ’s suffering because of its diet of thorny plants. Grapes, the wine of the Eucharist and the blood of Christ, are central elements of the Mass, the ritual celebration of Christ’s sacrifice and death.
Provenance
M. David Schevitch, Paris, France [1]
- April 1906
Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, France [2]
- 1922
Duveen Brothers Inc., New York, NY, USA
1922 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Duveen Brothers Inc. [3]
Notes:
[1] Schevitch is listed as a previous owner on an invoice from the Duveen Brothers, dated March 28, 1922. The invoice does not list Schevitch's dates of ownership [SLAM document files].
[2] According to the Duveen Brothers (see note [1]), the purchaser is unidentified. Gillerman indicates that Galerie Georges Petit sold the object in April of 1906 [Gillerman, Dorothy. "Gothic Sculpture in America: II. The Museums of the Midwest." Turnhout: Brepols Publishers, 2001].
[3] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, February 28, 1922.
- April 1906
Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, France [2]
- 1922
Duveen Brothers Inc., New York, NY, USA
1922 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Duveen Brothers Inc. [3]
Notes:
[1] Schevitch is listed as a previous owner on an invoice from the Duveen Brothers, dated March 28, 1922. The invoice does not list Schevitch's dates of ownership [SLAM document files].
[2] According to the Duveen Brothers (see note [1]), the purchaser is unidentified. Gillerman indicates that Galerie Georges Petit sold the object in April of 1906 [Gillerman, Dorothy. "Gothic Sculpture in America: II. The Museums of the Midwest." Turnhout: Brepols Publishers, 2001].
[3] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, February 28, 1922.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.