The Virgin from a Pentecost Scene and the Figure of Saint Martin
Unknown Artist
ca. 1245–48
Medium
Pot-metal glass and vitreous paint
Dimensions
Overall: 21 1/4 x 14 in. (54 x 35.6 cm)
Classification
Glass-Stained
Culture
French
Department
The Cloisters
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cloisters Collection, 1937
Accession Number
37.173.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite stained-glass panel, dating to around 1245–48, features two sacred figures: the Virgin Mary from a Pentecost and Saint Martin of Tours. Crafted in France during the High Gothic period, it likely originated from a grand cathedral window, where vibrant glass narrated biblical stories and saints' lives to worshippers. The Pentecost reference evokes the moment the Holy Spirit descended upon the, with Mary as a central maternal presence, while Saint Martin, a beloved 4th-century bishop known for his charity, embodies medieval ideals of humility and service. The artwork showcases mas...