Virgin and Child with Censing Angels | MSK Gent
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Virgin and Child with Censing Angels, ca. 1425 - ca. 1450

  • polychromy, limestone
  • 36 x 43.5 cm
  • Inv. 1913-T

Public Domain

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Statues made of limestone or wood were usually polychromed in the 15th century. However, specimens with an original and well-preserved polychromy are rare. The former colourful and brilliant appearance of most statues has been lost due to poor preservation conditions, neglect or changed aesthetic views. Traces of painting can be found on the small relief in white stone of the Virgin with Child, enthroned by two angels. Polychroming is usually the painter's task. It is a time-consuming and complex technique and therefore often better paid than carving or cutting. Polychromy, also called upholstery, is not mere decoration. The colours have a symbolic meaning and should give the sculpture a sublime and transcendental glow.

Artist

Anonymous Master
sculptorsAAT

Title Virgin and Child with Censing Angels
Date ca. 1425 - ca. 1450
Period 15th century
Location Ghent TGN
Medium and support polychromy AAT
Collection sculpture AAT
Object type limestone AAT
Inventory number 1913-T
Acquisition credit gift
The Friends of the Museum
Ghent
1913
Current whereabouts Work currently not on display
Permalink https://mskgent.be/collection/work/data/1913-T
IIIF Manifest https://imagehub.mskgent.be/iiif/3/598/manifest.json
Art & Architecture Thesaurus 300055874 religious symbolism AAT
Keywords Iconclass 11D Christ Iconclass
11F the Virgin Mary Iconclass
11F4 Madonna: i.e. Mary with the Christ-child Iconclass
11G angels Iconclass
11G25 angels in adoration Iconclass
41C762 incense-burner ~ scents, perfumes Iconclass
73 New Testament Iconclass
73C public life of Christ: from his baptism until the Passion Iconclass
School / Style Early Netherlandish AAT
Oude Meesters uit het Museum voor schone Kunsten Gent in de crypte van de Sint-Baafskathedraal. - Gent : Museum voor Schone Kunsten Gent, 2004 (s.p., cat. 11)
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