Figure of a King
Unknown Artist
1300–1325
Medium
Oak, paint, gilt
Dimensions
Overall: 46 in. (116.8 cm)
Classification
Sculpture-Wood
Culture
South Netherlandish
Department
The Cloisters
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cloisters Collection, 1952
Accession Number
52.82
Tags
Art Historical Context
This striking *Figure of a King*, around 1300–1325 in the South Netherlands (modern-day Belgium), stands nearly four feet tall and captures the regal poise of medieval nobility. Likely representing a biblical king such as David or Solomon, it exemplifies the devotional sculptures that adorned churches and altars during the late Gothic period. Produced in a region renowned for its vibrant religious art, this anonymous masterpiece reflects the era's emphasis on hierarchy and piety, where kings symbolized divine authority. Crafted from oak—a durable hardwood favored in Northern Europe for its fi...