Northern France, late 14th century - early 15th century Virgin and Child breastfeeding Limestone Height: 87 cm (Misses and restorations) Virgin and Child, limestone, North of France, late 14th C. - early 15th C. H: 34.25 in. Provenance: French private collection in the early 20th century; Then by descent to the present owner; Private collection, Paris Commentary: Related works: - Francilien workshop, 14th century, Vierge à l'Enfant allaitante dite Vierge de Royaumont, Royaumont Abbey, Asnières-sur-Oise ; - Champagne circa 1380-1400 , La Vierge allaitant l'enfant, H.: 78.5 cm, provenance Rigny-le-Féron (Aube), Paris, Musée du Louvre, n°inv.790 ; - Ile-de-France, between 1400 and 1422, Virgin and Child Nursing, carved stone, 120 cm high, Mesnil-Aubry church; - Picardy, 14th century, Virgin and Child, carved wood, 52cm high, Saint-Martin church, Chauny (02). The theme of the nursing Virgin, combined with the iconography of the Virgin of tenderness, spread at the end of the Middle Ages in response to the need to humanise the divine figure. This rare carved example of the "Virgin with milk" bears witness to the importance given at the time to physical contact, establishing genuine maternal and filial ties between the Virgin and the Child. This type of work mainly spread from the Ile de France region in the 14th century to the neighbouring regions of Picardy, Champagne and Burgundy. A few examples can still be found in the 15th century. It is possible that this iconography was developed for Cistercian churches which, in accordance with Bernard de Clairvaux's vow, were dedicated to the Virgin and did not allow any other iconography. The beautiful Vierge allaitante in Royaumont Abbey is an attractive example.