Dear List Members:
On a recent visit to the Detroit Institute of Art, I came across a statue
of St. Bridget of Sweden which has me puzzled. The information
identifying the statue dated it late 15th c to about 1500 and gave its
provenance as France, possibly Berry or Rhone valley. My work on St.
Birgitta and the Brigittines has been focused on England, so perhaps my
questions have a simple answer of which I am just unaware. But, I'm
surprised to see a statue of St. Birgitta coming from France, since she
has such a representation as a "pro-English" saint in the Hundred Years'
War. Consequently, I wonder if this statue might have some sort of
Anglo-Burgundian connections. My attempts to learn more about the
statue from the museum have so far been unsuccessful. So, can tell me
where to find information about Brigittine foundations/connections in
France or devotion to Birgitta in France in the 15th century? I'd also be
interested in any information on representations of St. Birgitta in the
visual arts--such depictions are relatively rare in England. Thanks in
advance for any help, and please feel free to reply privately since this
is such a specialized question which will perhaps not be of general
interest.
Best regards,
Nancy Warren
Department of English
University of Michigan
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