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Saint Margaret of Antioch

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

The legend of Saint Margaret, the Early Christian martyr also known as Marina, details the many painful ordeals she endured before her eventual death during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (r. 284–305). Having been swallowed by the devil in the guise of a dragon, the saint burst unharmed from its body after making the sign of the cross.

Dating from about 1475, this work is an outstanding example of the Languedoc style of the late fifteenth century, which was centered in medieval Toulouse. This work is remarkable for the contrast of the idealism and delicacy of the figure set against the scaly and coarse textures of the lizard-turned-dragon at the base of the composition.

Date: ca. 1475

Geography: Made in Toulouse (?)

Culture: French

Medium: Alabaster, with traces of gilding

Dimensions: Overall: 15 3/8 x 9 5/8 x 6 9/16in. (39 x 24.5 x 16.7cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Stone, Sculpture-Alabaster

Saint George and the Dragon

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Saint George was a soldier of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r. 284–305) who became a Christian martyr when he chose torture and death over renouncing his faith. Venerated by both Muslims and Christians during the medieval period, Saint George was renowned for his bravery. One thirteenth-century story recounts how he rescued the entire population of a Libyan town from a dragon by singlehandedly defeating the creature in combat. This sculpture presents Saint George with his right foot pressing into the neck of the vanquished dragon. George became a patron saint for crusaders and numerous chivalric orders, including the Order of the Garter established by the English King, Edward III, in 1348.

Date: ca. 1460–70

Geography: Made in Swabia, Germany

Culture: South German

Medium: Limewood with paint and gilding

Dimensions: Overall: 32 7/16 x 13 3/8 x 8 11/16in. (82.4 x 34 x 22cm) without lance: 29 1/2in. (75cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Wood

Capital with Angels Holding the Veil of Saint Veronica, with a Column

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

The face portrayed on Veronica’s veil was the Vera Icon (true portrait of Christ). According to legend, when Veronica wiped Jesus’ face as he was led to Calvary, his image was miraculously imprinted on the cloth, which was eventually taken to Saint Peter’s in Rome. Such images were intended to inspire meditation through visual identification with Christ’s likeness.

Date: ca. 1325–75

Geography: Made in Veneto (?), Italy

Culture: North Italian

Medium: Limestone with traces of polychromy

Dimensions: Overall: 73 7/8 x 20 3/16 x 20 3/16 in. (187.6 x 51.3 x 51.3 cm); capital: 15 3/8 x 20 1/4 x 20 1/4 in. (39.1 x 51.4 x 51.4 cm); shaft: 43 1/2 x 15 in. (110.5 x 38.1 cm); base: 15 x 20 3/16 in. (38.1 x 51.2 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Architectural

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Together with her gemmed crown and luxurious cloak, the imposing scale of this royal figure creates an impression of majestic power. She gazes steadfastly at a book, indicating both piety and wisdom. Though the sword in her hand and the wheel at her side were later hacked away, enough traces remain to confirm that she is Saint Catherine, who was martyred with these devices for refusing to marry the pagan emperor Maxentius. He appears as a small, grimacing figure trampled under her feet, reflecting not only Catherine’s spiritual victory but also the promise that virtuous rulers will triumph over corrupt tyrants.

Date: ca. 1475–1525

Geography: Made in Lorraine, France

Culture: French

Medium: Limestone with traces of paint

Dimensions: 61 1/2 × 22 1/2 × 14 1/4 in. (156.2 × 57.2 × 36.2 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Stone

The Life and Miracles of Saint Godelieve

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Artist: Master of the Saint Godelieve Legend (Netherlandish, active fourth quarter 15th century)

Medium: Oil on wood

Dimensions: Open 49 1/4 x 126 3/8 in. (125.1 x 311 cm); closed 49 1/4 x 63 1/4 in. (125.1 x 160.7 cm)

Classification: Paintings

Apostles in Prayer

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Date: ca. 1400–1410

Geography: South Netherlandish

Culture: German

Medium: Oak

Dimensions: without base: 19 5/16 × 12 7/8 × 4 3/8 in. (49.1 × 32.7 × 11.1 cm); with base: 21 1/8 in. × 16 in. × 5 1/8 in. (53.6 × 40.7 × 13 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Wood

Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1916

The Entombment of Christ

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Date: ca. 1420–40

Geography: Made in Middle Rhine valley, Germany

Culture: German

Medium: Walnut with traces of paint

Dimensions: Overall: 18 1/16 x 18 7/16 x 5 1/8 in. (45.8 x 46.8 x 13 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Wood

Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1916

Descent from the Cross

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Date: ca. 1510

Geography: Made in Brussels, Netherlands

Culture: South Netherlandish

Medium: Fruitwood with paint

Dimensions: Overall: 22 5/8 x 13 3/16 x 6 1/4 in. (57.5 x 33.5 x 15.9 cm) with base: 23 5/8 x 13 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. (60 x 35 x 15.9 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Wood

Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1916

The Way to Calvary, with Saint Veronica Receiving the Veil Imprinted with the Face of Christ

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Date: ca. 1510

Geography: Made in Brussels, Netherlands

Culture: South Netherlandish

Medium: Walnut, paint and gilding

Dimensions: Overall: 19 1/2 x 10 3/8 x 7 7/8in. (49.5 x 26.4 x 20cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Wood

Virgin of the Annunciation

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Date: ca. 1450

Geography: Made in Franconia ?

Culture: South German

Medium: Oak, polychromy & gilding

Dimensions: Overall (including base): 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (36.8 x 36.8 x 11.5 cm); Overall (without base): 13 11/16 x 14 5/16 x 3 9/16 in. (34.7 x 36.3 x 9 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Wood

Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan

Saint Paul

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305

Artist: Circle of Claus de Werve (Netherlandish, active in France, ca. 1380–1439, active Burgundy, 1396–ca. 1439)

Date: ca. 1420–30

Geography: Made in Poligny, Burgundy, France

Culture: French

Medium: Limestone with traces of paint

Dimensions: Overall: 47 1/4 x 25 1/2 x 12 in. (120 x 64.8 x 30.5 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Stone

Shrine of the Virgin

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304

This rare devotional shrine manifests Christian belief in the miracle of the Incarnation, by which God took on human body and nature, uniting both human and divine in the person of Jesus. Closed, it is a statuette of the enthroned Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus. When opened, the shrine is transformed into an altarpiece showing a sculptural representation of the Trinity. (Only the figure of God the father remains; lost are the figures of Christ and the dove representing the Holy Spirit, the second and third persons of the Trinity.) Painted scenes of the Nativity decorate the wings.

Date: ca. 1300

Geography: Made in Rhine valley

Culture: German

Medium: Oak, linen covering, polychromy, gilding, gesso

Dimensions: open: 14 1/2 x 13 5/8 x 5 1/8 in. (36.8 x 34.6 x 13 cm); Other (closed): 5in. (12.7cm); Other (figure of Christ): 9 5/8 × 3 13/16 × 1 9/16 in. (24.5 × 9.7 × 3.9 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Wood

Credit: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917

Saint Firmin Holding His Head

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304

Saint Firmin was a fourth-century missionary who became the first bishop of Amiens and the patron saint of that city. Here the saint is shown as if living while holding his decapitated head.

Date: ca. 1225–75

Geography: Made in Amiens, France

Culture: French

Medium: Sculpture-Stone

Dimensions: 43 1/2 × 15 × 13 in., 238 lb. (110.5 × 38.1 × 33 cm, 108 kg)

Classification: Enamels-Champlevé

Tabernacle of Cherves

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304

Date: ca. 1220–1230

Geography: Made in Limoges, France

Culture: French

Medium: Champlevé enamel on gilded copper

Dimensions: Closed: 33 × 19 3/4 × 10 3/4 in., 90 lb. (83.8 × 50.2 × 27.3 cm, 40.8 kg); Open: 33 in. × 37 3/4 in. × 10 3/4 in. (83.8 × 95.9 × 27.3 cm); Other (Proper right wing): 27 3/8 × 9 1/2 in. (69.5 × 24.1 cm); Other (Proper left wing): 27 1/8 × 9 3/8 in. (68.9 × 23.8 cm)

Classification: Enamels-Champlevé

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917

Three Medallions from a Coffret

Metropolitan Museum of Art

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304

Date: ca. 1240–60

Geography: Made in Limoges, France

Culture: French

Medium: Champlevé enamel on gilded copper

Dimensions: Overall: 3 9/16 x 1/16 in. (9.1 x 0.2 cm)

Classification: Enamels-Champlevé