A NORTHERN FRENCH OR SOUTHERN NETHERLANDISH MARBLE GROUP OF THE VIRGO LACTANS, the veiled Virgin holding the Christ Child whilst he suckles her right breast, her drapery falling in heavy, tubular folds to the ground (the Virgin's crown lacking and nose replaced; base somewhat chipped), circa 1390-1410

Details
A NORTHERN FRENCH OR SOUTHERN NETHERLANDISH MARBLE GROUP OF THE VIRGO LACTANS, the veiled Virgin holding the Christ Child whilst he suckles her right breast, her drapery falling in heavy, tubular folds to the ground (the Virgin's crown lacking and nose replaced; base somewhat chipped), circa 1390-1410
16in. (40.6cm.) high
Provenance
Percy Moore Turner Esq.
Literature
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, Beeldhouwkunst in het Rijksmuseum, 1973, pp. 418-9, no. 733.
P. Williamson, Northern Gothic Sculpture, 1200-1450, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1988, pp. 170-3, no. 50.

Lot Essay

The slight S-curved stance and delicate facial carving of the Virgin, as well as the distinctive drapery style, are all highly reminiscent of a slightly larger Virgo Lactans in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (op. cit., pp. 170-3). In his book, Paul Williamson also notes that the Victoria and Albert group is, in turn, related to another group in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (op. cit.). All three may be said to represent a transitional stage between the stylistic conventions of the 14th century, and the many Schöne Madonnen produced in the first half of the 15th century.

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