New research leads to exciting re-attribution of important Renaissance plaquette
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Saturday, December 7, 2024


New research leads to exciting re-attribution of important Renaissance plaquette
Bronze rectangular plaquette “Victory inscribing a Shield” attributed to Antonio Lombardo, circa 1512, 50.8 by 36.2mm.



LONDON.- An important early 16th century Renaissance plaquette, depicting Victory inscribing a Shield, has recently been re-attributed to the renowned Italian Renaissance sculptor Antonio Lombardo (c.1458–1516), and is one of the highlights of Morton & Eden’s forthcoming sale of Coins, Medals and Banknotes on 4 November 2020.

Tom Eden, of Morton & Eden, said: “This, hitherto, virtually unknown plaquette is believed to be the only known casting of this subject. Its recent attribution to the Renaissance artist Antonio Lombardo, the court sculptor of Alfonso I d’Este, Duke of Ferrara makes it an exceptionally exciting new art historical discovery.”

The bronze rectangular plaquette is small, measuring only 50.8 by 36.2mm, and depicts, in exceptionally fine relief, a standing winged figure of Victory. Victory is shown, one foot resting on a helmet, inscribing a shield set upon a palm tree, with a flaming artillery projectile behind her. It is estimated to fetch £40,000-60,000.

Although the plaquette was known to be in two highly distinguished French collections during the 19th and early 20th centuries, at that time scholars could not shed much light on who it was executed by or why.

Morton & Eden recently consulted Dr Jeremy Warren, Honorary Curator of Sculpture, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, and Sculpture Research Curator, The National Trust, a leading specialist in this field. It is thanks to Dr Warren’s subsequent additional research that this significant new attribution can now be proposed.




The source for the image of the plaquette, Victory inscribing a shield, is clearly based on a form found on Roman coins. The same image was also used by another Renaissance sculptor, as can be seen in a similar plaquette attributed to the artist Andrea Riccio (c. 1470 – 1532).

Although the main figure of Victory is the shared motif, in every other respect this plaquette is quite distinct. Here Victory is depicted nude with the exception of drapery over her lower limbs, and, in comparison to the version by Riccio, this plaquette has an elegant neo-classical feel to its execution.

It is, however, the flaming artillery projectile shown behind Victory that provides the most conclusive evidence to support the re-attribution. In all likelihood the subject of the plaquette was a direct allegory of the victory of Alfonso I d’Este and the French at the Battle of Ravenna on 11 April 1512. It was at the Battle that Duke Alfonso made use for the first time of a deadly new weapon he had developed, a metal ball filled with an artificial fire, which would explode into flying fragments when it hit its target.

Alfonso was extremely proud of this sophisticated and modern piece of ordnance. Hence the inclusion of the artillery ball in the imagery points to the fact that, in all likelihood, the plaquette was executed circa 1512 by Antonio Lombardo, Alfonso’s court sculptor, to commemorate both the important victory and the introduction of his patron’s lethal new military weapon.

Stylistic comparisons can also be drawn between the wonderfully sinuous and elegant flames of the artillery ball in the plaquette and details in other works by Lombardo - most notably the flaming crucible at the left of The Forge of Vulcan (St Petersburg, Hermitage), and the waves at the foot of Lombardo’s relief of the Venus Anadyomene (London, V&A).

There are no other versions of this fascinating plaquette known to be in existence. Morton & Eden’s catalogue describes it as “seemingly unique and an extremely fine contemporary cast of high quality”.










Today's News

September 27, 2020

Making art when 'lockdown' means prison

New research leads to exciting re-attribution of important Renaissance plaquette

White Cube announces representation of the estate of Takis

'All you can view' museum treat for Dutch art lovers

Delay of Philip Guston retrospective divides the art world

The original 'Spider-Woman' cover that sparked outrage, and forced Marvel to apologize, heads to auction

Exhibition of new work by Gregory Crewdson opens at Gagosian Beverly Hills

Blue Star Contemporary innovates with first ever Augmented Reality Red Dot Art sale and exhibition

This carousel has had quite a ride. Will anyone in Japan save it?

Exhibition at Dallas Museum of Art features 13 new acquisitions, including new work by Dallas artists

Freeman's inaugural Ritual and Culture Auction achieves strong results

New book offers a fascinating and delightfully offbeat look at the untold stories of the art history world

London Transport Museum exhibition scoops top national award

Historic Canongate tenements returned to former glory

Victoria Miro announces representation of Doron Langberg

Michael Rosenfeld Gallery exhibits paintings and works on paper by Benny Andrews

Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn 2020 Sale series to be held from 3-9 October

GOFO ART and China Guardian join hands to launch fundraising campaign

Dance on film is the only game in town. BalletX takes the field.

Charl Landvreugd appointed Head of Research & Curatorial Practice at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam

The collection of British tokens formed by John Rose to be sold at Dix Noonan Webb

Steidl publishes 'Juergen Teller: Plumtree Court'

Michael Jordan jerseys expected to each surpass $300,000 at Heritage Auctions

Abstract Expressionism leads a successful sale at Shannon's

Top 6 Android Tracking Apps for Kids

Fruit slots, for games that are truly timeless

Finding the Best Website for Playing Games Online? -Here it is

A Complete Guide About Bitcoin To Help Newbies!!!

Consider these things while shifting from traditional trading to Bitcoin trading.




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Houston Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful