Lot 1514 Dα

Lower Austria circa 1470

A Lower Austrian figure of the Virgin with Child on the crescent, circa 1470

Carved wood, the reverse flattened and deeply hollowed out. With older, partially overpainted polychromy. A full-length depiction of the Virgin standing in graceful contrapposto and holding the nude, writhing Child in Her left arm above the hip; the extended right hand presumably originally held a sceptre. A crescent moon bearing a sculpted face can be seen at Her feet. The Virgin wears a red floor-length pleated gown, but the composition is dominated by Her voluminous golden cloak with its rich interplay of deep V-shaped folds.
With losses to the crown. A loss to the back of the plinth and a horizontal crack. The right hand of the Virgin is a replacement. With some wear. Height 103 cm.