Virgin and Child and a Donor Presented by Saint Thomas, 1483

Dimensions: 88.5 x 52.7 x min. 0.7 cm
maximum depth: 0.7 cm

Physical Description: Mixed technique on limewood

Inventory Number: LG 68

Acquisition: On permanent loan from a private collector since 2003

Status: On display, 2nd upper level, Old Masters, room 4

Texts

About the Work

A man in black robes kneels before the throne of the Virgin Mary. He is being recommended by the apostle Thomas, presumably his patron saint. The Christ Child turns trustingly towards the worshipper. The scene is set in an interior whose coloration lends it a strangely abstract character. A window in the background opens onto a river landscape. The painting was presumably once part of an epitaph. The original frame of this commemorative panel – since lost – will have been inscribed with various details about the work and its patron.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Virgin and Child and a Donor Presented by Saint Thomas

Painter

Master of Grossgmain

Period Produced

15th century

School

Late Middle Ages

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Mixed technique on limewood

Material

limewood

Technique

mixed technique

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Datiert auf dem gemalten Pergamentblatt an der Wand: 1483
(sonst weder Rubrik noch Text lesbar)

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Old Masters 1300 - 1800

Collection

permanent loan

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Dauerleihgabe aus Privatbesitz

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: On permanent loan from a private collector since 2003

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Associated Persons and Institutions

Iconclass

Primary

11F42 Madonna: Mary sitting or enthroned, the Christ-child in her lap (or in front of her bosom) (Mary sometimes represented half-length)
11F713 Christ-child looking towards saint(s) or donor(s) ~ Madonna-representations
11H(THOMAS) the apostle Thomas; possible attributes: book, chalice, girdle, heart, lance or spear, scroll, square, stones

Secondary