9
15th-Century Sculpture of the Madonna & Child in Majesty
Estimate:
$2,000 - $3,000
Sold
$8,000
Live Auction
Sacred Statues: Gothic to Baroque 14th-17th C
Description
An extraordinary example of late medieval and early Renaissance religious artistry, this 15th-century polychrome wood sculpture depicts the Madonna and Child in Majesty, a revered subject in Christian devotional art. The crowned Virgin is portrayed in a seated position, cradling the Christ Child, who is also adorned with a crown-symbolizing both divine kingship and maternal grace. Designed to be viewed from the front and slightly below, the sculpture retains remnants of its original polychrome decoration, including traces of a deep blue cloak on the Madonna and delicate flesh tones that highlight the figures' serene expressions. The back of the piece remains unpainted, a common feature in ecclesiastical sculptures intended for placement against a wall or within a niche.
The stylistic and technical characteristics of this work suggest an origin in either a French or Northern Italian workshop during the 15th century. The elongated proportions, solemn facial expressions, and cascading drapery folds strongly resemble French Gothic sculpture, particularly from the Burgundian and Norman regions, where seated Madonna figures were frequently commissioned for churches and private chapels. The static, frontal pose of the Virgin aligns with French ecclesiastical traditions, particularly those seen in Gothic cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris and Chartres. At the same time, the softer modeling of the faces and the naturalistic treatment of the drapery reflect the influence of the emerging Renaissance style, which flourished in Northern Italy, particularly in Lombardy and Veneto. This artistic transition can be observed in the works of early Italian masters such as Jacopo della Quercia and Lorenzo Ghiberti, who introduced a greater sense of realism and fluidity to religious compositions.
A further indicator of the sculpture's prestigious origins is the presence of lapis lazuli-based pigment in the Madonna's cloak, a costly material widely used in both French and Italian Marian iconography to signify divinity and purity. The composition of the crowned Christ Child seated on the Virgin's lap follows the "Sedes Sapientiae" (Throne of Wisdom) tradition, a theme prevalent in both French Gothic and early Italian Renaissance religious sculpture. The unpainted back of the piece suggests that it was created for an altarpiece or a niche setting, emphasizing its devotional purpose within a church or monastic environment.
Artist: French or Italian School
Issued: Circa 15th century
Dimensions: 16"L x 14"W x 47"H
Country of Origin: France/Italy
Provenance: John and Johanna Bass Collection, New York, NY; Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL, 1963.
The stylistic and technical characteristics of this work suggest an origin in either a French or Northern Italian workshop during the 15th century. The elongated proportions, solemn facial expressions, and cascading drapery folds strongly resemble French Gothic sculpture, particularly from the Burgundian and Norman regions, where seated Madonna figures were frequently commissioned for churches and private chapels. The static, frontal pose of the Virgin aligns with French ecclesiastical traditions, particularly those seen in Gothic cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris and Chartres. At the same time, the softer modeling of the faces and the naturalistic treatment of the drapery reflect the influence of the emerging Renaissance style, which flourished in Northern Italy, particularly in Lombardy and Veneto. This artistic transition can be observed in the works of early Italian masters such as Jacopo della Quercia and Lorenzo Ghiberti, who introduced a greater sense of realism and fluidity to religious compositions.
A further indicator of the sculpture's prestigious origins is the presence of lapis lazuli-based pigment in the Madonna's cloak, a costly material widely used in both French and Italian Marian iconography to signify divinity and purity. The composition of the crowned Christ Child seated on the Virgin's lap follows the "Sedes Sapientiae" (Throne of Wisdom) tradition, a theme prevalent in both French Gothic and early Italian Renaissance religious sculpture. The unpainted back of the piece suggests that it was created for an altarpiece or a niche setting, emphasizing its devotional purpose within a church or monastic environment.
Artist: French or Italian School
Issued: Circa 15th century
Dimensions: 16"L x 14"W x 47"H
Country of Origin: France/Italy
Provenance: John and Johanna Bass Collection, New York, NY; Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL, 1963.
Condition
Age related wear. Loss of polychrome and sporadic loss of wood. Small cross missing from the orb.