The Incredulity of St. Thomas
Plaquette
first half 16th century (made)
first half 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This plaquette depicts the Incredulity of St. Thomas and is made by Valerio Belli (1468-1546) from Vicenza in Italy.
Belli was born into a respected Vicentine family. Belli trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo. He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works.
Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s 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 bookbindings.
Belli was born into a respected Vicentine family. Belli trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo. He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works.
Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s 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 bookbindings.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Incredulity of St. Thomas (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, The Incredulity of St. Thomas, by Valerio Belli, Italy, first half of 16th century |
| Physical description | Four sided, tapering towards the top, the two ends incurved. In the centre a standing nimbed figure of Christ, who shows St. Thomas the wound in his side, upon which the apostle places his finger. To the left, four apostles; to the right six others. In the background a large doorway surmounted by a triangular pediment. In the doorway hangs a lamp, and on the frieze is the inscription, VALERIVS BELLVS FA. On the back is stamped the letter R. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Cast after original crystals. Bought, £1. 11s. 6d. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This plaquette depicts the Incredulity of St. Thomas and is made by Valerio Belli (1468-1546) from Vicenza in Italy. Belli was born into a respected Vicentine family. Belli trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo. He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works. Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s 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 bookbindings. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 878-1904 |
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 | December 4, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
