The Virgin and Child thumbnail 1
The Virgin and Child thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Virgin and Child

Relief
middle of the fifteenth century (made)
Artist/Maker
Desiderio Da Settignano
Place of origin
Florence (made)

This was a popular composition reproduced in several numbers in painted stucco and in paintings from the workshop of Neri di bicci (1419-91). it is possible that this relief was painted in the same studio.


Object details

Category
Sculpture
Object type
Relief
TitleThe Virgin and Child
Materials and techniques
Painted and gilded stucco
Stucco
Painted
Gilded
Brief description
Relief, Virgin and Child, painted and gilded stucco
Physical description
Virgin and Child, relief in painted and guilded stucco. The Virgin is represented seated in half-length turned to the right. Her head is in three- quarter face and her hands are clasped in prayer. The Child, seated in left profiule on a cushion on the right of the relief, placed his left hand on the Virgin's wrist, and with his right holds up her veil. The Virgin is clad in red, blue, and olive green, with gilding on the collar and at the sleeve and wrist, and the Child in olive green with a pink sash. The figures are set against a dark blue cloudy ground. In a contemporary gilt wood frame.
Dimensions
  • Height: 56.5cm
  • Width: 45.1cm
Object history
Purchased in Florence (Bardini, £19 14s. 6d.)
Subjects depicted
Virgin
Jesus Christ
Summary
This was a popular composition reproduced in several numbers in painted stucco and in paintings from the workshop of Neri di bicci (1419-91). it is possible that this relief was painted in the same studio.
Bibliographic references
  • MacLagan, E, and Longhurst, Margaret, H. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture. London: V&A, 1932. pp.44
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Her Majesty's Stationary Office, 1964. pp.143-4
  • Natale, M and Ritschard, C. Falsifications Manipulations Pastiches L'art d'imiter. Images de la Renaissance italienne au Musée d'art et d' histoire. Geneva. 1997. pp. 152-155. n's 14 &16. fig. 3
  • List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1889 London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1890. pp.10
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
83-1889

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Record createdOctober 6, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O168790/the-virgin-and-child-relief-desiderio-da-settignano/
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