Virgin and Child Enthroned

Michael Pacher (German/Austrian, active 1462–1498)

about 1470

Object PlaceAustria

Medium/TechniquePine with polychromy

DimensionsOverall: 99.1 x 64.8 x 40.6 cm (39 x 25 1/2 x 16 in.)
Other (UHDW pad with 1/4" low density pad "Volara"): 64.8 x 35.6 cm (25 1/2 x 14 in.)

Credit LineGift of S. J. Thannhauser in memory of his wife, Franziska Reiner Thannhauser

Accession number62.338

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsSculpture

Collections

Europe

Provenance1913, Richard Oertel (b. 1865 - d. 1943), Munich; May 7, 1913, Oertel sale, Rudolph Lepke, Berlin, lot 129, sold for M 2000 [see note 1]. Before 1935, sold by Fischmann (probably Norbert Fischmann, dealer), Munich, to Dr. Siegfried Josef Thannhauser (b. 1885 - d. 1962), Freiburg, Düsseldorf, and Brookline, MA [see note 2]; 1962, gift of Siegfried J. Thannhauser to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 11, 1962)

NOTES:
[1] A label affixed to the back of the sculpture states that it was lot 129 in the auction of the collection of Dr. Oertel, Munich, in 1913. This particular lot, which is not illustrated in the auction catalogue, measures 131 cm., while the MFA sculpture measures about 99 cm. Lot 129 does, however, match the description of the MFA sculpture, specifying identical areas of damage.

[2] According to Edward R. Lubin's appraisal of Dr. Thannhauser's collection (February 14, 1962; in the MFA curatorial file), this sculpture was purchased from Fischmann. The label on the back of the sculpture (as above, n. 1), however, suggests that Thannhauser purchased at this at auction through Helbing, Munich ("von Thannhauser [e]rsteigert bei Helbing, München"); whether this was at a sale of Fischmann's possessions, or Fischmann was simply an agent for the sale, is not known. Dr. Thannhauser immigrated to the Boston area in 1935, bringing his art collection with him.