The Virgin Mary from an Annunciation Group

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One major representative of the Beautiful Style in Austria was the Master of Grosslobming, whose designation derives from a figural cycle in the parish church in Grosslobming, Styria. He likely worked actively in Vienna, one of the great artistic centers of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The Master of Grosslobming is also responsible for this fully three-dimensional Virgin from an Annunciation group. The composition and movement of the standing figure, whose hands are crossed humbly across her midriff and whose gaze is directed expectantly towards the left, reveal that the accompanying angel was located in that area. This angel now resides in the Medieval collection of the Belvedere in Vienna, where he kneels, facing right and holding up his hands reverently before his body as he leans his head back, looking up and reacting to Mary's gaze. The eye contact connects the two figures in a subtle way. The statue of Mary is the focus of the Liebieghaus collection of International-Style sculptures. It is influenced by sculpture produced in Prague around 1380 to 1400, where an uncommonly artistic, French-influenced, ornamental-linear form of expression developed: the “International” or “Beautiful” Style. This style's capacity to idealize beauty, especially in images of the Virgin, was already praised in its own day. Her graceful face, the delicate sweep of her movements, the lavish, soft drapery of her garments with their deep bowl-like folds before her body and the pleats on the side with their undulating lines, as well as the basic lyrical mood of the Frankfurt Virgin are all typical of the highly sophisticated works of this period. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, which creates a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.