Hercules and the Centaur
Plaquette
late 15th century to early 16th century (made)
late 15th century to early 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This bronze plaquette showing Hercules and the Centaur is made by Moderno in the late 15th or early 16th century in North Italy.
Hercules is naked with the exception of the lion skin and springs forward from the left and crushes the centaur in his arms. To the left is a building on which is the signature O.MODERNI, and to the right is a ruined amphitheatre.
Moderno is the pseudonym of a goldsmith and medalist 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, and his earliest dated work is 1490. There are many different suggestions in literature to whom OPUS MODERNI may refer, and there has never been a clear answer to it.
Hercules is naked with the exception of the lion skin and springs forward from the left and crushes the centaur in his arms. To the left is a building on which is the signature O.MODERNI, and to the right is a ruined amphitheatre.
Moderno is the pseudonym of a goldsmith and medalist 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, and his earliest dated work is 1490. There are many different suggestions in literature to whom OPUS MODERNI may refer, and there has never been a clear answer to it.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Hercules and the Centaur (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Bronze |
Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, showing Hercules and the Centaur, made by Moderno, late 15th or early 16th century, North Italy |
Physical description | The plaquette shows Hercules naked with the exception of the lion skin, springs forward from the left and crushes the centaur in his arms. To the left is a building on which is the signature O.MODERNI, and to the right a ruined amphitheatre. In the background are hills. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | O.MODERNI (signature on the building) |
Object history | Aqcuired in Munich |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This bronze plaquette showing Hercules and the Centaur is made by Moderno in the late 15th or early 16th century in North Italy. Hercules is naked with the exception of the lion skin and springs forward from the left and crushes the centaur in his arms. To the left is a building on which is the signature O.MODERNI, and to the right is a ruined amphitheatre. Moderno is the pseudonym of a goldsmith and medalist 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, and his earliest dated work is 1490. There are many different suggestions in literature to whom OPUS MODERNI may refer, and there has never been a clear answer to it. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 4467-1858 |
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Record created | June 2, 2009 |
Record URL |
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