Virgin Nursing the Christ Child, c. 1380. The subject of the nursing madonna was popular for both sculpture and painting during the fourteenth century. Made in the vicinity of Paris (called the Ile-de-France) for the interior of a church, this sculpture emphasizes the nurturing role of the Virgin and her special place as an intermediary between God and man. Statues of the Virgin and Child were placed not only on or near altars but also against piers (large supporting pillars inside the church) and within niches (special alcoves made for statues). In the elegance of its stance and proportion as well as the delicacy of its drapery and modeling, this sculpture is an eloquent representative of an ?le-de-France type and style.