Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 2 pages
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Source Description
Mary stands holding the Christ Child, who reaches up to embrace her. The Madonna's right foot protrudes from beneath her copious drapery, while her left foot rests on the head of a serpent, whose body spirals in front of her. The group is mounted on a rectangular plinth, with curved sides veneered in ivory. On the front is affixed the monogram MA, surmounted by a sphere and cross. The motif of the Madonna treading on a serpent occurred frequently during the 17th century, when the serpent represented heresy. In this context, Mary, as the new Eve, conquers the serpent. The Virgin's neck and right foot have been restored. Christ's left forearm and hand are separate pieces.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
29684
label
Virgin and Child Treading on a Serpent
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
2
Source metadata
id
29684
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Virgin and Child Treading on a Serpent
description
Mary stands holding the Christ Child, who reaches up to embrace her. The Madonna's right foot protrudes from beneath her copious drapery, while her left foot rests on the head of a serpent, whose body spirals in front of her. The group is mounted on a rectangular plinth, with curved sides veneered in ivory. On the front is affixed the monogram MA, surmounted by a sphere and cross. The motif of the Madonna treading on a serpent occurred frequently during the 17th century, when the serpent represented heresy. In this context, Mary, as the new Eve, conquers the serpent. The Virgin's neck and right foot have been restored. Christ's left forearm and hand are separate pieces.
provenance
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
1st quarter 19th century
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
figurines
imageCount
2
pageCount
2
source
import
dimensionsRaw
6 5/8 in. (16.9 cm)
Source extras
med
ivory
creator_ids
6229
collection_ids
EAN
exhibition_ids
none
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
a4999ebd1135a9f2
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
c76dcfbe3840ea4e
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no