Skip to Content

Console with Doubting Thomas

Showing 1 of 1


  FILTER RESULTS

Console with Doubting Thomas

early 13th century
24 x 17 11/16 x 18 1/2 in. (61 x 45 x 47 cm)

French artist
France

French; made for Candes-Saint-Martin, Indre-et-Loire

Object Type: Sculpture
Medium and Support: Limestone, polychromy
Credit Line: R. T. Miller Fund
Accession Number: 1949.76
Location: Currently on view
Link to this object

This early Gothic console originally supported a vaulting rib in the sacristy of the small French church of St. Martin-de-Candes. The sculpture, which retains much of its original coloring, illustrates the story of Doubting Thomas, an episode described in the New Testament gospel book of John. The apostle Thomas refused to accept that Christ had appeared to his other followers after the Resurrection, saying “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” Christ appeared to them again one week later and told Thomas “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

The sculptor has utilized the architectural form of the console to depict this story. On the left, Thomas, his head now broken, places his finger in Christ’s wound; Mary Magdalen, to whom Christ also appeared after the Resurrection, stands behind him. The apostle on the other side of Christ is Saint Peter, who holds the key to heaven. The remaining figures are apostles who serve as witnesses to the miracle. The figure of Christ originally carried a cross-staff, symbolizing his victory over death.

[Gallery label text, June 2013]

Bibliography
See general reference to architecture and decoration of Saint-Martin de Candes: Congrès archéologique de France 1964 Blomme, Yves La Collégiale Saint-Martin de Candes 1997


Provenance
Sacristy of Saint-Martin-de-Candes; [Joret, Paris (dealer)?]; Bacri Frères, Paris (dealers); half share purchased from them by Joseph Brummer, New York (dealer), 1932; his sale, part III, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, June 8-9, 1949 lot 567; purchased at that sale by the Gallery

Keywords Click a term to view the records with the same keyword

Audio & Video Resources
Explore Audio and Video Media

Additional Images Click an image to view a larger version

Exhibition List
This object was included in the following exhibitions:

Bibliography
This object has the following bibliographic references:

Portfolio List Click a portfolio name to view all the objects in that portfolio
This object is a member of the following portfolios:

Web Links See links to web pages and lesson plans
MAGexplore MAGexplore provides in-depth information and close looking at over 200 objects in MAG's collection.


Your current search criteria is: Object is "Console with Doubting Thomas".

View current selection of records as:
CDWA Lite XML LIDO XML VRA Core 4 MODS XML Objects JSON