Nursing Madonna

Anonymous

France

End of the 15th century

Polychrome stone

Deposit from the commune of Nanteuil le Haudouin, 1974

Registered as a Historical Monument

Inv. D1974.4.1

If artworks representing the Madonna and Child are numerous in the collections of the Archery and Valois Museum, this one, from the Chapelle des Marais in Nanteuil-le-Haudouin, stands out for its humanity. This stone statue from the end of the 15th century represents Mary holding baby Jesus.

But far from an official presentation, he is seen here, as all newborns, breastfeeding.

This type of imagery was immensely popular in the West, as many believers worshiped relics of the Virgin’s milk, which were in fact white calcite grains found in grottos near Bethlehem.

The story of the Lactation of Saint Bernard also contributed to the success of these incredibly moving depictions of maternity. According to the legend, it is from a statue such as this one, placed in a church in Châtillon-sur-Seine, that drops of milk suddenly appeared and moistened the saint’s lips, which were very dry from long prayers he had sung in honor of the Virgin Mary.

This beautiful Nanteuil statue, which had been broken into 47 pieces, was restored by Philippe Gouble, the man behind the museum’s collection of sacred art.