Cacus stealing the oxen of Hercules
- Object:
Plaquette
- Place of origin:
Italy (north, made)
- Date:
late 15th century to late 16th century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Moderno (artist)
- Materials and Techniques:
Bronze
- Museum number:
4479-1858
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This medallion plaque, is made by Moderno in the late 15th century or early 16th century, in North Italy.
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.
