10
15th-Century Spanish Sculpture of the Madonna and Child
Estimate:
$800 - $2,000
Sold
$3,100
Live Auction
Sacred Statues: Gothic to Baroque 14th-17th C
Description
This early 15th-century Spanish Gothic polychrome wood sculpture represents the Madonna and Child in Majesty (Sedes Sapientiae), a revered image in medieval Christian art. Seated on an architectural throne, the Virgin is depicted wearing a flowing mantle and an ornate crown, signifying her role as the Queen of Heaven, while holding the Christ Child in a frontal, formalized composition. The rigid symmetry and solemn expression of both figures exemplify the Spanish Gothic tradition, which favored spiritual presence and iconographic clarity over naturalism. The remnants of polychrome decoration, particularly the red, white, and gold pigments, are characteristic of Spanish religious sculpture, where wood carvings were elaborately painted and gilded to enhance their sacred significance.
The sculpture's construction and style strongly suggest an origin in Castile or Catalonia, regions known for their polychrome wood devotional sculptures. The Virgin's broad, linear drapery folds and the weighty, columnar structure of her figure reflect the Spanish preference for imposing, hieratic forms, distinguishing it from the more fluid and naturalistic interpretations found in French Gothic sculpture. The Christ Child, seated on her lap, maintains a frontal, solemn expression with a gesture of blessing, a composition frequently seen in Spanish Gothic works from the 14th and 15th centuries. Unlike the tender, interactive relationship often depicted in French Gothic versions of the Madonna and Child, the Spanish tradition maintained a more austere, theological presentation, reinforcing Mary's role as the divine throne for Christ.
The architectural throne further supports the Spanish attribution, particularly with the presence of polychrome motifs on its sides. In Spanish Gothic sculpture, especially in Castilian and Catalan workshops, the inclusion of painted geometric or heraldic elements on thrones was a common practice, often linking the figure to ecclesiastical or noble patronage. The throne's solid, rectangular structure reflects the continued influence of Romanesque aesthetics in Spain, where monumental religious sculpture retained an emphasis on geometric solidity and ornamental detail. This type of enthroned Madonna was widely produced for use in altarpieces (retablos) or private devotional settings, where such images served as focal points for prayer and veneration.
Artist: Spanish School
Issued: Circa early 15th century
Dimensions: 13"L x 9"W x 28"H
Country of Origin: France/Spain
Provenance: John and Johanna Bass Collection, New York, NY; Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL, 1963.
The sculpture's construction and style strongly suggest an origin in Castile or Catalonia, regions known for their polychrome wood devotional sculptures. The Virgin's broad, linear drapery folds and the weighty, columnar structure of her figure reflect the Spanish preference for imposing, hieratic forms, distinguishing it from the more fluid and naturalistic interpretations found in French Gothic sculpture. The Christ Child, seated on her lap, maintains a frontal, solemn expression with a gesture of blessing, a composition frequently seen in Spanish Gothic works from the 14th and 15th centuries. Unlike the tender, interactive relationship often depicted in French Gothic versions of the Madonna and Child, the Spanish tradition maintained a more austere, theological presentation, reinforcing Mary's role as the divine throne for Christ.
The architectural throne further supports the Spanish attribution, particularly with the presence of polychrome motifs on its sides. In Spanish Gothic sculpture, especially in Castilian and Catalan workshops, the inclusion of painted geometric or heraldic elements on thrones was a common practice, often linking the figure to ecclesiastical or noble patronage. The throne's solid, rectangular structure reflects the continued influence of Romanesque aesthetics in Spain, where monumental religious sculpture retained an emphasis on geometric solidity and ornamental detail. This type of enthroned Madonna was widely produced for use in altarpieces (retablos) or private devotional settings, where such images served as focal points for prayer and veneration.
Artist: Spanish School
Issued: Circa early 15th century
Dimensions: 13"L x 9"W x 28"H
Country of Origin: France/Spain
Provenance: John and Johanna Bass Collection, New York, NY; Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL, 1963.
Condition
Age related wear. Sporadic loss of color.