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Premium Castilian School. Possibly León. Circa 1400
Castilian School. Possibly León. Circa 1400
Lot no. 18
Description
Castilian School. Possibly León. Circa 1400
'The Visitation'
36 x 23 x 3.5 cm
A delightful relief carved in oak wood, gilded and polychromed.
Likely originating from a medieval altarpiece, possibly dedicated to the Life of the Virgin. Clearly influenced by Flemish art—indeed, it may well be the work of a Flemish sculptor established in Castile.
At the base appears an inscription identifying the scene: 'Bisitación', depicting the moment when the Virgin Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.
Our relief depicts a profoundly tender scene between two women —cousins— Elizabeth and Mary, shown as they meet and join hands. That gesture becomes both a greeting and a blessing, as their hands rest gently on Mary’s womb with the words: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Their serene, humble faces convey affection and intimacy, joy and reverence. There is mysticism and tenderness here, aiming to bring the biblical event closer to the viewer—as a simple family encounter—and thus allow the beholder to feel visited too, invited as another member of this celestial family.
Other equally exquisite examples from medieval sculpture depicting the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth have survived to our time. Among the most notable is the magnificent and delicate sculptural group of the Visitation, dated circa 1320 and of German origin, now held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (inv. no. 17.190.724).
Also outstanding is the fine relief that combines the scenes of the Annunciation and the Visitation, located in the Portico of Santa María de los Reyes in Laguardia, dated to the 14th century.
Provenance: Private collection. Spain.
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