Bishop

Unknown Artist

early 14th century

Bishop by Unknown Artist

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

MenBishops

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...

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