Virgin and Child Enthroned

This wooden sculpture depicts the Virgin and Child, a recurring iconography in Christian religious art and sculpture. Iconographies are the traditional images or symbols associated with a subject. The Virgin and Child represent the Virgin Mary and her child, Jesus. “Seat of Wisdom” or “Throne of Wisdom” (sedes sapientiae) is a devotional title for Mary in the Roman Catholic Church. In Seat of Wisdom depictions of Mary, she is seated on a throne with the Christ Child (Jesus) on her lap. Many early Christians believed Christ to be Wisdom incarnate (in human form). By holding the Christ Child on her lap, Mary becomes the literal seat of Wisdom. These icons represent Mary as the vessel that made Christ’s incarnation possible. They also represent her as a symbol of divine wisdom.

Virgin and Child Enthroned was made during the Middle Ages, also known as the medieval period. This period in European history lasted from the fifth century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages saw the rise of feudalism, and Christianity (particularly Catholicism) became the dominant religion in Europe. During this time the Catholic Church was the main source of funding and patronage for the visual arts. Nearly all wooden sculptures were painted during the Middle Ages. The traces of blue and red pigment on the surface of this sculpture are evidence that it was once painted.

This sculpture is small in scale and made from a lightweight wood material. It may have been carried in processions during religious festivals. The rest of the time, it most likely stood on an altar or pedestal in a church. Religious objects were used in processions during religious festivals. People in the community would touch the object as the procession went by, to express their devotion. Sculptures of this type were sometimes used to represent the Virgin Mary and Jesus in liturgical dramas, to tell the story of the Three Wise Men.

There is a small cavity in the back of this sculpture, behind the Virgin Mary’s shoulder. This opening was likely used as a space to store holy relics. A holy relic is an object of religious significance from the past. Holy relics are usually the physical remains or personal belongings of a saint or other important person. They are used for the purpose of veneration (the act of honoring a saint) at a physical memorial.