MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - VA31.jpg


Category	Ivory Carving
Origin	Oslo workshop
Date	14C/2
Reference No	Inv No 10357
Size	8 x 6
Provenance	Probably Oslo
Present Location	Copenhagen, National Museum
Bibliography	France 2010, 315-329

Illustration From	Copenhagen, National Museum
Other Illustrations

Country	Norway

Description
The Lactation scene is one of nine panels s in a hinged diptych known as Christian I's portable altar carved in walrus ivory with scenes from the Life of St Olav, the most extensive cycle of the saint's life. The Virgin places her bared breast in the mouth of the kneeling figure of Bernard whose hands are folded in prayer, one of only two known examples of the more physical act of Bernard receiving the Virgin's milk by sucking the breast.

Description

The Lactation scene is one of nine panels s in a hinged diptych known as Christian I's portable altar carved in walrus ivory with scenes from the Life of St Olav, the most extensive cycle of the saint's life. The Virgin places her bared breast in the mouth of the kneeling figure of Bernard whose hands are folded in prayer, one of only two known examples of the more physical act of Bernard receiving the Virgin's milk by sucking the breast.