Mary Salome and Zebedee

Mary Salome and Zebedee, about 1505-1510, Tilman Riemenschneider V&A Museum no. 110-1878

Mary Salome and Zebedee by Tilman Riemenschneider (c.1460-1531) originally formed the right wing of an altarpiece showing the family of the Virgin Mary. The central scene would have shown St Anne seated with her daughter Mary and the Christ Child. Mary Salome was another daughter of St Anne, half sister of the Virgin and wife of Zebedee. Tilman Riemenschnieder was one of the most important sculptors in southern Germany in the late fifteenth and sixteenth century. He specialised is carving limewood altarpieces, some of which were painted. Others, such as this example which was carved in Würzburg in about 1501-5, were give translucent glaze. This treatment not only allowed the rich colour of the wood to show through, but rendered the fine carving of the faces and drapery more visible.

Mary Salome is seated on a cushioned throne, turning her body to the left. In her right hand she holds an open book on which her hand is resting. She is dressed in a waisted gown over which is draped a mantle falling from her left shoulder. The half-length figure of Zebedee stands behind her, resting on his left elbow, and holding a closed book in his right hand; he is expressively depicted as an elderly man with sunken cheeks, his gaze is fixed on the observer. He is dressed in a buttoned robe.

Bibliography

• Jackson, Anna (ed.) (2001). V&A: A Hundred Highlights. V&A Publications.  ISBN 1851773657