Virgin and Child

Statues of the Virgin with her son on her arm often depict him holding an attribute in his hand, such as an apple, a globe or, as here, a bird. This is a reference to his suffering on the cross. According to one legend, a bird tried to take a thorn from the crown of thorns on Christ’s head.

Virgin and Child

Statues of the Virgin with her son on her arm often depict him holding an attribute in his hand, such as an apple, a globe or, as here, a bird. This is a reference to his suffering on the cross. According to one legend, a bird tried to take a thorn from the crown of thorns on Christ’s head.