France, Burgundy, Dijon / c. 1380–1400
Kneeling Carthusian Monk
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Kneeling Carthusian Monk as sculpture (France, Burgundy, Dijon · c. 1380–1400).
These are the only known surviving sculpted examples of kneeling Carthusian monks. Depictions of Carthusians in the same act of piety are found in paintings such as the one in this room from the Chartreuse de Champmol.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as marble.
The museum's collection notes: These are the only known surviving sculpted examples of kneeling Carthusian monks. Depictions of Carthusians in the same act of piety are found in paintings such as the one in this room from the Chartreuse de Champmol. These two figures are believed to come from the same Carthusian monastery as the mourners displayed nearby and would have formed part of a private devotional group, probably in a monk’s cell, with a sculpture of the crucified Christ or the Virgin positioned between them. They wear the recognizable white scapular, a hooded garment with front and back panels tied together with a tab.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtKneeling Carthusian MonkOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.