Sophie Guarino- Virgin and Child

The Virgin and Child was made in Italy (Lombardy or Emilia-Romagna). It was made with about 1125-50 limestone, with polychrome. This image is an early example in Italian sculpture of a new devotional emphasis on the humanity of the Christ. It stresses the warm intimacy between mother and son as they draw their heads together and look into each other’s eyes, with the child reaching his arms around Mary’s neck. The stone sculpture would have been placed upon an altar, inspiring prayer and meditation. I choose this sculpture because it doesn’t actually look like jesus in a ladys arms. To me Christ looks more like a small man than a baby. That purpose was to recall the Old Testament Song of Songs, in which the bride and groom came to be seen as references to Mary and Christ.