The Triumph of Poverty
Plaquette
1550-1600 (made)
1550-1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This plaquette belongs to a series of thirteen. Examples of the series in silver have been found on contemporary mirror frames and cabinets.
The image is adapted from an engraving by Hieronymus Cock after Maarten van Heemskerck.
Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to book-bindings.
Whilst religious plaquettes had both public and private functions, and mounted religious plaquettes, known as paxes, were held up during mass for the kiss of peace, those with a secular subject matter were usually for private, personal use. They were used as pendants, desk ornaments, and applied to functional objects such as pounce-pots. They were also valued as fine miniature works of art.
The image is adapted from an engraving by Hieronymus Cock after Maarten van Heemskerck.
Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to book-bindings.
Whilst religious plaquettes had both public and private functions, and mounted religious plaquettes, known as paxes, were held up during mass for the kiss of peace, those with a secular subject matter were usually for private, personal use. They were used as pendants, desk ornaments, and applied to functional objects such as pounce-pots. They were also valued as fine miniature works of art.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Triumph of Poverty (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, depicting the Triumph of Poverty, adapted from an engraving by Hieronymus Cock after Maarten van Heemskerck, Netherlands, 1550-1600 |
| Physical description | Bronze plaquette depicting the triumph of Poverty. Poverty (INOPIA) is seated on a wicker cart drawn to the right by two lean mules. In front are Patience with an anvil, and Servitude in chains; behind Humility (VMI) with a cleft stick and a pomegranate, Fear (TIM) driving on the mules with a whip, and Frailty as an old woman. In the distance is a city. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. Historical significance: Adapted from an engraving by Hieronymus Cock after Maarten van Heemskerck |
| Production | Plaquette, bronze, depicting the Triumph of Poverty, after Maarten van Heemskerck, |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This plaquette belongs to a series of thirteen. Examples of the series in silver have been found on contemporary mirror frames and cabinets. The image is adapted from an engraving by Hieronymus Cock after Maarten van Heemskerck. Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to book-bindings. Whilst religious plaquettes had both public and private functions, and mounted religious plaquettes, known as paxes, were held up during mass for the kiss of peace, those with a secular subject matter were usually for private, personal use. They were used as pendants, desk ornaments, and applied to functional objects such as pounce-pots. They were also valued as fine miniature works of art. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 80 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.496-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | October 21, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
