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Trinity
late 15th century
Vital to Catholic theology, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is the belief that God exists in three inseparable forms: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Giving this schema visual form, particularly in three dimensions, presented a challenge for artists. This sculptor, whose name remains unknown, found a powerful solution: presenting God the Father enthroned, with the crucified Christ nestled between his knees and the dove of the Holy Spirit just alighting on the cross. Lively details—God the Father’s jeweled crown, the rumpled cloth of honor behind him—and bright traces of original color bring the composition alive.
- Title
- Trinity
- Date
- late 15th century
- Place of Creation
- Picardie
- Object Type
- Sculpture
- Medium
- Limestone with traces of polychromy
- Dimensions
- 60 1/2 x 29 1/2 x 18 in. (153.7 x 74.9 x 45.7 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of the de Young Museum Society
- Accession Number
- 53.11