"Madonna and Child"

I just had to show this one a bit larger. The actual sculpture is on a pedestal, at the Boston MFA. It's from the 12th century, by an unknown artist of Lombardi, Italy. It is so striking to me that a solid mass of stone (limestone and some other material) can show such emotion--there is so much tenderness expressed in the faces, tilt of the heads, and embracing of the arms. It almost begs you to come in for "a group hug". :-) It's just a lovely piece of art.