Heavenly Patrons

Unknown   (French)

Virgin and Child

16th century


silver gilt

7.38 x 2.13 in
18.73 x 5.40 cm
 

Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
63.76.2

Not on view

The Virgin Mary stands gracefully with a pomegranate in her right hand and the infant Christ on her left side. The pomegranate, with its abundance of seeds contained within one fruit, often symbolizes the Church. The artist used a small perforating tool to stamp many small indentions into the fabric of Mary’s silver gown, which he then covered with a polished silver mantle, achieving a variety of textures.
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