Enthroned Virgin. Pyrenees 13th century.

This work belongs to the Romanesque tradition of the Enthroned Virgin (Sedes Sapientiae or Seat of Wisdom), typical of the Pyrenean mountain regions. The Virgin is depicted seated on a bench-throne with molded side posts and presents Christ standing on her left knee. Mary holds a frontal, hieratic pose, characteristic of Romanesque Virgins. This hieraticism is reinforced by the oval shape of the Virgin's face with its slightly prominent almond-shaped eyes. The veiled head was encircled by a crown, now missing. The treatment of the body, however, heralds Gothic influences: the chest and hips are slightly accentuated. The treatment of the drapery is characteristic of the late Romanesque style. Below the Virgin's belt and its pendant, there are "V"-shaped folds followed by simple vertical folds. The treatment of Christ's hair, and his slight forelock (dorelot), allow the creation of the work to be anchored in a phase of stylistic evolution specific to the late Romanesque period, likely in the first half of the 13th century.

By its formal austerity and material, this piece can be compared to the productions of rural Pyrenean workshops. It shares stylistic affinities with the Virgins from the Cerdanya and Conflent areas, where the persistence of Romanesque models was maintained until a late date. The work can be compared to the Virgin Mare de Déu del Bosc (Espunyola), a piece that is unfortunately lost and dated to the early 13th century. The success of this iconographic variant (the standing Child) within regional workshops is attested by several major 13th-century works. The Virgin of Alcoletge (Museum of Lleida) as well as the Virgin of Esterri d'Àneu (lost work) perfectly illustrate the enduring nature of this model. The V-shaped drapery at the bottom of the dress and the position on the bench-throne can be found on the Enthroned Virgin from the Convent of the Mercedarians (Perpignan), also dated to the 13th century.
Complete dossier available upon request.
Consulted works:
· Vierges à l’enfant médiévales de Catalogne, Corpus des Vierges à l’enfant (XIIe-XVe s.) des Pyrénées-Orientales, Subes Marie-Pasquine, Mathon Jean-Bernard, 2013
· Romanes et gothiques : Vierges à l’enfant restaurées des Pyrénées Orientales, JB Mathon 2011.
· Les Vierges en Comminges, inventaire, étude et restauration, Nicole Andrieu, 2013
· Catalunya Romànica, Vigué Jordi, Pladevall Antoni (dir.), Barcelone, Fundació Enciclopèdia Catalana, 1984-1998.