Not currently on display at the V&A

The Virgin and Child

Relief
1441 (carved)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This panel, representing the Virgin and Child, is in the style of Donatello, made in Florence in the 15th century.

The brothers Conte (b. 1411) and Tommaso (b. 1400) Spinelli, to whom the inscription is referring, were the sons of Leonardo Spinelli (d. 1427). Tommaso di Leonardo Spinelli was a benefactor of Santa Croce in Florence, and is buried in the church.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Virgin and Child (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Marble relief
Brief description
Relief of The Virgin and Child, marble, style of Donatello, Florence, 1441
Physical description
The Virgin is represented in half-length behind a parapet with head turned three-quarters to the right. She supports the Child with her left hand as He stands on the parapet.
Dimensions
  • Height: 74cm
  • Width: 57.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
FECERVNT.FIERI.CONTES.ETOHMAS.FRatrES.DE.SPINELLIS.MCCCC.XXXXI (inscribed below)
Object history
Acquired in Florence
Historical context
The brothers Conte (b. 1411) and Tommaso (b. 1400) Spinelli, to whom the inscription is referring, were the sons of Leonardo Spinelli (d. 1427). Tommaso di Leonardo Spinelli was a benefactor of Santa Croce in Florence, and is buried in the church.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This panel, representing the Virgin and Child, is in the style of Donatello, made in Florence in the 15th century.

The brothers Conte (b. 1411) and Tommaso (b. 1400) Spinelli, to whom the inscription is referring, were the sons of Leonardo Spinelli (d. 1427). Tommaso di Leonardo Spinelli was a benefactor of Santa Croce in Florence, and is buried in the church.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1859 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. 39
  • Maclagan, Eric and Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture. Text. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1932, p. 27
  • Pope-Hennessy, John assisted by Ronald Lightbown. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Volume I: Text. Eighth to Fifteenth Century. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1964, pp. 98, 99
  • Raggio, Olga. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Art Bulletin. Vol. L, 1968, p. 209
Collection
Accession number
5801-1859

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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