Medallion
16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This elliptic bronze medallion plaque depicting a bearded man and a woman is made by Valerio Belli, in Italy in the 16th century.
Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He 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.
Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He 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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Medallion plaque, elliptic and bronze, made by Valerio Belli, Italy, 16th century |
| Physical description | The elliptic medallion depicts a bearded man in a long mantle holding in his left hand a stick encircled by a serpent (Aesculapius?). He is turning his head back over his right shoulder in conversation with a woman (Hygieia?) who carries a branch in her right hand. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | VALE.VI.F. (?). (signed in the exergue) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This elliptic bronze medallion plaque depicting a bearded man and a woman is made by Valerio Belli, in Italy in the 16th century. Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He 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. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 6026-1857 |
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| Record created | May 28, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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