GERMAN, TRIER, CIRCA 1400 | Virgin and Child

J. Marx, Cologne;
his sale, Kunsthaus Heinrich Hahn, Trier, 11 June 1929, no. 28;
with Kunsthandel Pahl-Mehringer, by 1975;
Sotheby’s London, 9 December 1976, lot 26;
Christie’s Amsterdam, 7 March 2001, lot 378;
private collection, Belgium

Luthgen, Rheinische Kunst des Mittelalters aus Kölner Privatbesitz, Bonn and Leipzig, 1921, p. 92;
Mittelalterliche Kunst aus Kölner Privatbesitz, exh. cat. Cologne, 1927, no. 27;
H. Beck et al. (eds), Kunst um 1400 am Mittelrhein, exh. cat. Liebieghaus, Frankfurt a. Main, 1975, no. 34, pl. 107

Overall the condition of the stone is good, with some dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are a few losses, notably to the Virgin's proper right forearm, the child's proper left arm, the Virgin's proper right foot, the Virgin's crown, and the base at the back. There are further chips and minor losses, including to the drapery below the child's hand, a few of the child's locks of hair, the edges of the base, and the edges and highpoints of the drapery. There is a chip to the child's nose. The Virgin's nose has possibly been reattached. There are traces of polychromy throughout. There is a metal loop at the back for mounting.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This enchanting group is an important survival from the International Gothic in the Middle Rhine region. Carved in the rare material of Muschelkalk (shell limestone), this Virgin and Child follows the type of Schöne Madonnen, characterised by a sweetness of facial features and beautifully cascading folds of drapery. The present group relates closely in composition to the walnut Madonna of the Cologne Friesentor, which is dated to around 1360-1370 (Schnütgen Museum, Cologne, inv. no. A 40). Compare also the slightly later red sandstone Virgin and Child in the Carmelite Church in Mainz (Suckale, op. cit., no. 46), particularly the rounded facial types and stylised waves of hair. Beck et al. (op. cit.) localised the present Virgin further West, in Trier, citing a more corpulent body type that is characteristic of the Mosel valley. 

RELATED LITERATURE
H. Suckale (ed.), Schöne Madonnen am Rhein, exh. cat. LVR-Landesmuseum, Bonn, 2009, nos. 38, 44 and 46