Virgin and Child c. 14th century

This 14th-century, anonymous sculpture from the Minneapolis Institute of Art depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child. The piece is characteristic of the Gothic style, particularly in its elongated proportions and the flowing drapery of the Virgin's robes. This highly venerated subject matter, the Virgin and Child, was a common theme in medieval art, often placed in churches or homes for devotional purposes. The sculpture's delicate features and the loving interaction between mother and child evoke a sense of tenderness and piety.