Virtue and Vice thumbnail 1
Not on display

Virtue and Vice

Statuette
ca. 1550 (made)
Artist/Maker
Da Vinci, Pierino (sculptor)
Place of origin
Florence (made)

This statuette representing Virtue and Vice was possibly made by Pierino da Vincin in Florence, in about 1550. This is in bronze and on an oblong base pierced for mounting. The bronze is damaged in places but retains part of the original black patina.

Object details

Category
Sculpture
Object type
Statuette
TitleVirtue and Vice (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Bronze statuette depicting Vice and Virtue, Italy (Florence), mid 16th century
Physical description
Bronze statuette depicting Vice and Virtue. Virtue, a naked female figure, stands looking downwards with her body bent to the left. Her right hand raises a club over her left shoulder to strike Vice who lies beneath her right foot. Vice's head is to the left, looking upwards, his right leg is doubled under him. Vice lacks wings and a tail.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23.5cm
  • Base width: 18.5cm
Credit line
Purchased with funds from the John Webb Trust
Subjects depicted
Clubs (Weapons)
Virtue
Vice
Summary
This statuette representing Virtue and Vice was possibly made by Pierino da Vincin in Florence, in about 1550. This is in bronze and on an oblong base pierced for mounting. The bronze is damaged in places but retains part of the original black patina.
Bibliographic references
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Review of the Principal Acquisitions During the Year 1929. London. pp. 5-6. pl. V.
  • Planiscig, L. Piccoli Bronzi Italiani del Rinascimento. 1930. p. 44.
  • Cf. Burlington Fine Arts Club, Italian sculpture exhibition catalogue. 1912. pl. 49. no. LII.
  • Cf. Goldschmidt, Fritz. ed.Königliche Museen zu Berlin. Beschreibung der Bildwerke der Christlichen Epochen. Zweiter Band. Die Italienischen Bronzen der Renaissance und des Barock. Berlin, 1914. nos. 109-110.
  • Cf. Bode, W. The Italian bronze statuettes of the Renaissance. London, 1908. II. pl. 145.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.133-1929

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Record createdNovember 26, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107531/virtue-and-vice-statuette-da-vinci-pierino/
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