Virgin and Child, sculpture collection Rijksmuseum
Summary
Statues of the Virgin with her son on her arm often depict him holding an attribute in his hand, such as an apple, a globe or, as here, a bird. This is a reference to his suffering on the cross. According to one legend, a bird tried to take a thorn from the crown of thorns on Christ’s head.
Tags
Date
1350
Source
Rijksmuseum
Copyright info
Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication ("CCO 1.0 Dedication")