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Virgin on a Wide Throne

Virgin on a Wide Throne is a Gothic half-relief sculpture of Mary with the Child, made of Rhenish oak and covered with polychromy. Probably created in Cologne around 1270, it is now held in Cologne in the collections of the Alexander Schnütgen Museum devoted to medieval art. The work measures 46 cm wide, 61.5 cm high, and 20 cm deep. Viewed from the front, it gives the impression of a full sculpture, while the flat back includes a square recess likely used for relics. The present state reflects 14th-century alterations, including a new throne and repainting, and the back was cut down for display on an altar retable.

Virgin on a Wide Throne, a weathered wooden sculpture of a seated robed woman holding a child.
Virgin on a Wide Throne, a weathered polychrome wooden sculpture with the Virgin seated on an ornate throne.
© · Public domain
Virgin on a Wide Throne wooden sculpture showing a seated robed woman with a child on her lap
Virgin on a Wide Throne, a weathered painted wooden sculpture of a seated robed woman holding a child.
© · Public domain
Virgin on a Wide Throne, a painted wooden sculpture of a seated woman holding a child and raising a round fruit.
Virgin on a Wide Throne: a painted wooden sculpture of a seated woman with a child on her lap.
© · Public domain
Virgin on a Wide Throne, a painted wooden sculpture of a woman holding a child and a small round fruit.
Virgin on a Wide Throne, shown here in a close-up of the painted wooden sculpture.
© · Public domain
Painted wooden sculpture of the Virgin on a wide throne holding the child, with a fruit in her raised right hand.
Virgin on a Wide Throne, a painted wooden sculpture showing the Virgin holding the child and a fruit in her raised hand.
© · Public domain

Identification

TitleMadonna on the Broad Throne Bench
Alternative titleMadonna auf dem breiten Thronsitz
TypeGothic carved sculpture
SubjectVirgin Mary with the Child Jesus
Inventory numberA 46

Historical context

Datec. 1270
OriginMade in Cologne, though the place of creation is uncertain

Creator

MakerA Cologne wood sculptor

Discovery and provenance

CommissionerAn unknown but certainly wealthy patron

Physical characteristics

Dimensions61.5 cm high, 46 cm wide, 20 cm deep
FormSemi-relief sculpture with a square cavity visible in the flat back, probably serving as a reliquary compartment
Viewing orientationIntended to be viewed from the front

Materials

MaterialRhenish oak wood
Surface finishPolychromy

Appearance

Symbolic elementsA dragon lies at Mary's feet
Relationship between figuresThe figures appear to make eye contact, but both are actually looking into the distance; the work creates an intimate, dynamic interaction rather than a frontal Sedes Sapientiae pose
Child's ageThe Child Jesus is shown in late childhood
GestureMary supports the standing Child with one hand and offers him an apple; the Child reaches toward the apple with his left hand and holds his mother's veil with his right hand
Facial expressionMary has friendly, smiling features
DraperyLight, flowing folds animate the figures and emphasize movement
PoseMary sits on a broad throne bench in three-quarter view; the Child stands on her left knee in three-quarter view

Iconography and meaning

Apple symbolismThe apple symbolizes victory over evil and salvation from sin
Christological symbolismThe standing Child reaching for the apple suggests the Passion prophecy
Marian symbolismBecause she holds the apple, Mary is presented as the New Eve
Iconographic interpretationA depiction of the contemporary ideal of Mary with the Child, and a devotional image common in the Gothic period

Location and ownership

Current locationMuseum Schnütgen, Cologne
Current collectionCollection of the Museum Schnütgen
Museum focusDedicated to medieval sculpture

History and restoration

Modification historyThe present state of the work reflects a 14th-century modification, including replacement of the polychromy and a newly made throne; the rear part was cut off to place the sculpture on an altar retable
Throne bench modificationThe throne bench was widened one or two generations after the sculpture was made