Head of Christ or an Apostle
Artist
Possibly Southern France
Date1300–1350
Mediumpainted limestone
Dimensions24.8 × 17.2 × 16.5 cm (9 3/4 × 6 3/4 × 6 1/2 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineAustin S. Garver Fund and Sarah C. Garver Fund
Object number1949.36
DescriptionBowed head, with long curling hair and beard. Slightly damaged.Label TextIn the late Middle Ages an increasing amount of sculpture embellished the interior of churches. Since this head exhibits so little weather damage, it appears to be an interior piece, possibly intended for a choir screen around the main altar. The very shallow carving of the hair and features imparts a feeling of calmness which is characteristic of early fourteenth-century French art. A coat of paint gives final definition to the sculpture. It was customary to periodically renew the paint on sculpture; therefore, although the layer of paint we see is a later addition, it probably matches the original.ProvenancePurchased from Joseph Brummer Estate, Parke Bernat Galleries, New York
On View
On view
