Virgin and Child 1275 - 1325

This sculpture of the Virgin and Child was carved from limestone in England around the late 13th or early 14th century by Alexander of Abingdon. The work embodies the prevailing religious sentiment of the time, reflecting the Church's profound influence on daily life. Consider the institutional role of the church in commissioning art and shaping its content. Religious artworks like this one were not just objects of devotion but powerful tools for reinforcing the Church's teachings and social hierarchy. The Virgin Mary, often depicted as regal and serene, served as an idealized figure of motherhood and piety, subtly encouraging conformity to societal norms. Historians delve into parish records and theological texts to understand the artwork's original context. The meaning we attribute to art is contingent on the social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception.