Birth of the Virgin, a Male Donor, and the Education of the Virgin

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

This panel is part of an altarpiece depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, separated by spiral columns. To the left, the newborn Mary is presented to her mother, Saint Anne (in white). The kneeling male figure is probably a donor. To the right, the child Mary reads diligently. The Gothic setting helped viewers to empathize with the events of sacred history; Dr. Barnes appreciated the graceful decorative effect of the sloping tile floor.

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