Bishop
Unknown Artist
early 14th century
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
Overall: 88 1/2 in. (224.8 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
French
Department
The Cloisters
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cloisters Collection, 1947
Accession Number
47.101.14
Tags
Art Historical Context
This imposing limestone sculpture of a *Bishop*, created by an unknown French artist in early 14th century stands an impressive 88½ inches tall, capturing the solemn dignity of a medieval church figure. Carved from durable limestone—a favored medium for Gothic-era sculptures due to its workability and availability in northern France—the piece exemplifies the period's emphasis on monumental stonework. Likely intended for a cathedral portal, tomb, or ecclesiastical setting, its life-sized scale draws visitors into the hierarchical world of the medieval clergy. Dating to the height of French Got...