Lot 02

MADONNA

This exceptional High Gothic sculpture of the Madonna was created in Luxembourg-ruled Prague around 1350 and, stylistically, belongs to a group of works contemporary with the as-yet-unknown French Master of the Michel Madonna. The master’s workshop influenced sculpture throughout the Czech lands and Austria and paved the way for the later style of the “beautiful Madonnas.” The connection to the French tradition is evidenced by the sculpture’s material—in this case, oak wood—which was commonly used in French cathedral workshops. The Madonna retains its original flesh tones, partially preserved original polychromy, and gilding with later interventions. The sculpture likely formed the centerpiece of a smaller altar, probably created for the Prague court of the House of Luxembourg.