Masterpieces

Painting on wood depicting four scenes from the life of the Virgin. Front view.

Altar frontal: Scenes of the life of the Virgin, Cl. 7726
 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Painted wooden panel: Virgin and Child facing three kings presenting offerings. Front view.

Altar frontal: Scenes of the life of the Virgin, Cl. 7726
 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Painted wooden panel depicting two women leaning over an open book placed on a lectern. Front view.

Altar frontal: Scenes of the life of the Virgin, Cl. 7726 (detail)
 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Painted wooden panel depicting a woman lying in a bed surrounded by figures and praying angels. Front view.

Altar frontal: Scenes of the life of the Virgin, Cl. 7726
 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Painting on wood: Virgin and Child, a seated man, and a donkey and an ox lying down. Front view.

Altar frontal: Scenes of the life of the Virgin, Cl. 7726 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Altar frontal: Scenes of the life of the Virgin

Description

On display - room 12

14th century

Late Middle Ages

This painted work on wood, from an English Dominican church, is a rare example of medieval painting from the 14th century.

The panel depicts several episodes in the life of the Virgin, in succession, including  the Nativity, the Death of the Virgin and the Adoration of the Magi. The final scene, to the right, is more rarely shown: it illustrates her Education, given by her mother, St Mary.

The scenes, in a refined style influenced by Parisian painting, are placed on a background with an embossed decoration of small and remarkably intricate motifs enhanced with gold.

Acquired in 1864, this altar frontal has a matching altarpiece, discovered in 1920 in a barn in Suffolk (UK), which is still held at the church in Thornam Parva (Suffolk).

From one artwork to another

Lead object: boat with an inscription on the sail carrying a Virgin and Child. Front view.

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century

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