Medieval European Art
Bishop Saint - Unknown, Spanish
Bishop Saint
39 3/4 x 13 1/2 x 7 5/8 in. (101 x 34.3 x 19.4 cm)
Unknown, Spanish
Object Type: Sculpture
Medium and Support: Alabaster, traces of polychromy
Credit Line: Gift of George J. Demotte
Accession Number: 1923.9
Location: Currently on view
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This statue represents a bishop, a key figure of the Church who oversees churches within a specific geographical area. In his left hand, he holds a crozier, now broken at the top, which is the hooked or curved shepherd's staff that symbolizes the bishop's role within the church as a pastoral leader. His right hand is raised in blessing. This bishop also has a richly-jeweled mitre, a tall peaked cap that is worn only by bishops, cardinals and the pope. His cope, or outer cloak, is carved to indicate elaborate embroidery.
Standing figures of this size often occupied niches at the sides of elaborate tombs or stood on top of columns, on consoles, and in doorways. This sculpture most likely represents an early Christian bishop saint or a long-dead holy figure from local history rather than a living person.
[Gallery label text, June 2013]
George J. Demotte, New York (dealer); his gift to the Gallery in 1923
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This object was included in the following exhibitions:
Treasures from Rochester Memorial Art Gallery 4/14/1977 - 5/28/1977
This object has the following bibliographic references:
Article Scope: Reproduction only. Rochester Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester Handbook. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press, 1961.
Article Scope: Entry and reproduction. Denys Sutton. Treasures from Rochester: Exhibited at Wildenstein Galleries, New York, April 14-May 28, 1977: Summary Catalogue. Rochester, New York: Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester, 1977.
Brighton-Pittsford Post. Pittsford, NY
Apollo. London, England: Apollo
Article Scope: Mention and reproduction. Elizabeth Brayer. Magnum Opus: The Story of the Memorial Art Gallery, 1913-1988. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery, 1988.
Annual Report. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester
Article Author: Holladay, Joan A. and Nancy Norwood. Article Scope: Discussion and reproduction. Joan A. Holladay and Susan L. Ward. Gothic Sculpture in America. New York, NY: International Center of Medieval Art, 1989. Volume Number: 3 Page Number: 188-189, Figure Number: 113
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This object is a member of the following portfolios:
Medieval Sights & Sounds
Objects with Audio Interpretation
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IN TUA PATIENTIA (PLAINCHANT INVITATORY) Listen to music chosen for this artwork from MUSICUS, the world's first online museum of music.
Your current search criteria is: Portfolio is "Medieval European Art" and [Object]Century is "15th-16th centuries".