Not currently on display at the V&A

The Crucifixion

Plaquette
early 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Moderno (Opus Moderni (Signature)) (sculptor)
Place of origin
Italy (made)

Moderno is the pseudonym of a goldsmith and medallist active in North Italy and later in Rome. He signed certain pieces of his work with OPUS MODERNI (opus is the Latin term for 'work' - which then means 'work of the modern'). The modern here is referring to the Ancient World, in contrary to the Naturalism of the Gothic. He was active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His earliest works may date around 1485-1490; his earliest dated work is 1490. Although there have been numerous published suggestions as to the identity of Moderno, none has been satisfactorily agreed.


Object details

Categories
Christianity
Religion
Sculpture
Plaques & Plaquettes
Object type
Plaquette
TitleThe Crucifixion (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Gilt bronze
Bronze
Gilding
Brief description
Plaquette, gilt bronze, the Crucifixion, by Moderno, Italy, early 16th century
Physical description
The plaquette depicts in the centre the figure of the crucified Christ. Mary Magdalene clings to the foot of the cross; on either side hang the crucified thieves. On the left is a figure of the Virgin supported by two of the Holy Women; near them are St. John in an attitude of grief, and a small child. On the right are three figures of soldiers, one naked, bearing shields. At the side of the cross is the centurion, and in the background is another mounted soldier, who is breaking the limbs of one of the two thieves with a club.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.4cm
  • Width: 7.8cm
Object history
Acquired in London for £6 6s.
Subjects depicted
Cross
Figures
Soldier
Jesus Christ
Mary Magdalen (Magdalene)
St John
Virgin Mary
The Crucifixion
Summary
Moderno is the pseudonym of a goldsmith and medallist active in North Italy and later in Rome. He signed certain pieces of his work with OPUS MODERNI (opus is the Latin term for 'work' - which then means 'work of the modern'). The modern here is referring to the Ancient World, in contrary to the Naturalism of the Gothic. He was active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His earliest works may date around 1485-1490; his earliest dated work is 1490. Although there have been numerous published suggestions as to the identity of Moderno, none has been satisfactorily agreed.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1905 - 1908. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1907, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, 1909, p. 122
  • Martini, Luciana. Piccoli bronzi e placchette del Museo Nazionale di Ravenna. Bologna: University Press, 1985, pp. 154-155, no. 35
  • Maclagan, Eric. Catalogue of Italian Plaquettes . London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1924, p. 29
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection. Reliefs - Plaquettes - Statuettes - Utensils and Mortars . London: 1965, p. 46, no. 147, fig 179
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
704-1907

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Record createdFebruary 4, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O186168/the-crucifixion-plaquette-moderno-opus-moderni/
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