Foolish Virgins

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by Henk Bekker

Detail of two foolish virgins in Magdeburg Cathedral

The Paradise Portal โ€” the north entrance of the transept of Magdeburg Cathedral โ€” is an artistic highlight. The portal with the tympanum of the assumption of Mary is from 1310 but more famous are the sculptures of the wise and foolish virgins produced around 1250. The ten women in these sculptures show individual emotions and facial details very uncommon in works from the period.