Not currently on display at the V&A

The Nativity

Relief
17th century - 18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This model or sketch in terracotta, representing the Madonna is the work of on an unknown Italian artist from Florence of the 17th or 18th century.

The relief shows the Virgin kneeling behind the crib; to the left is the kneeling figure of St. Joseph, and to the right are two shepherds with a lamb.

It was purchased in Florence from the Gherardini Collection.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • The Nativity (generic title)
  • The Adoration of the Shepherds (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Terracotta
Brief description
Sketch model in low relief in terracotta, first half of seventeenth century, Italy
Physical description
Relief in terracotta. In the centre the Virgin kneels behind the crib; to the left is the kneeling figure of St. Joseph, and to the right are two shepherds with a lamb.
The relief, which is covered with dark monochrome paint, is broken horizontally above the level of the heads, and the fingers of the right hand of the Virgin and the left hand of the standing shepherd are missing. The head of St. Joseph has been broken and repaired.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22.9cm
  • Width: 27.9cm
Object history
Purchased in Florence from the Gherardini Collection
Subjects depicted
Summary
This model or sketch in terracotta, representing the Madonna is the work of on an unknown Italian artist from Florence of the 17th or 18th century.

The relief shows the Virgin kneeling behind the crib; to the left is the kneeling figure of St. Joseph, and to the right are two shepherds with a lamb.

It was purchased in Florence from the Gherardini Collection.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1854. 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. 20
  • Maclagan, Eric and Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture. Text. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1932, p. 157
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Volume II: Text. Sixteenth to Twentieth Century. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1964, p. 578
Collection
Accession number
4134-1854

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Record createdApril 16, 2008
Record URL
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