Virgin and Child with two angels thumbnail 1
Virgin and Child with two angels thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Virgin and Child with two angels

Plaquette
ca. 1500 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This rectangular bronze plaquette is made by Moderno in Italy ca. 1500.

Moderno is the pseudonym of a goldsmith and medallist active in North Italy and later in Rome. He signed certain pieces of his work with OPUS MODERNI (opus is the Latin term for 'work' - which then means 'work of the modern'). The modern here is referring to the Ancient World, in contrary to the Naturalism of the Gothic. He was active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His earliest works may date around 1485-1490, and his earliest dated work is 1490.
There are many different suggestions in literature to whom OPUS MODERNI may refer, and there has never been a clear answer to it.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleVirgin and Child with two angels (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Rectangular bronze plaquette depicting the Virgin and Child with two angels, by Moderno, North Italy, about 1500
Physical description
Rectangular bronze plaquette depicting a full length figure of the Virgin, seated on a low bench decorated with reliefs of marine monsters, supporting the Child on her left knee. To the left a kneeling child angel, on the right another holding a basket of fruit. In the background a wall with decorative reliefs ornamented with minute arabesques
Dimensions
  • Height: 1.5in
  • Width: 1.25in
Subjects depicted
Summary
This rectangular bronze plaquette is made by Moderno in Italy ca. 1500.

Moderno is the pseudonym of a goldsmith and medallist active in North Italy and later in Rome. He signed certain pieces of his work with OPUS MODERNI (opus is the Latin term for 'work' - which then means 'work of the modern'). The modern here is referring to the Ancient World, in contrary to the Naturalism of the Gothic. He was active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His earliest works may date around 1485-1490, and his earliest dated work is 1490.
There are many different suggestions in literature to whom OPUS MODERNI may refer, and there has never been a clear answer to it.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1856. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 43.
  • Maclagan, Eric. Catalogue of Italian Plaquettes . London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1924, p. 42.
Collection
Accession number
2535-1856

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Record createdAugust 25, 2004
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