Virgin and Child thumbnail 1
Virgin and Child thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Europe 1600-1815, Room 3

Virgin and Child

Relief
about 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Algardi, Alessandro (after)
Place of origin
Italy (made)

The group of the Virgin and Child is based on Algardi's design for an altarpiece in San Nicola da Tolentino, Rome (1651). The coat of arms is that of Pope Benedict XIV (Lambertini) who was elected to the papacy in 1741 and died in 1758. The relief comes from the Palazzo Lambertini, Bologna.


Object details
Categories
Sculpture
Christianity
Object type
Relief
Materials and techniques
Gilt bronze and ebony
Bronze
Ebony
Gilded
Brief description
Bronze gilt, ebony, Virgin and Child, after Alessandro Algardi, Italian 18th century
Physical description
Gilt bronze relief in an ebony frame. Virgin and Child seated on a cloud, encircled with rays and the heads of putti. The frame is crowned with roses.
Dimensions
  • Of relief height: 55.9cm
  • Of relief width: 43.2cm
  • Of external frame height: 88.9cm
  • Of external frame width: 72.4cm
  • Of internal frame height: 61cm
  • Of internal frame width: 45.7cm
  • Height: 1140mm
  • Width: 750mm
  • Depth: 200mm
All undated dimensions from Object Card
Gallery label
  • Framed relief of the Virgin and Child About 1750, the relief possibly earlier This devotional relief came from the family home of Benedict XIV, who ruled as pope from 1740 to 1758. Benedict was a keen patron of Bolognese artists and craftsmen. The relief is based on a marble sculpture on the high altar in San Nicola da Tolentino, Rome, designed by the sculptor Alessandro Algardi in about 1651. Italy (Bologna) After Alessandro Algardi Gilded bronze and ebony; modern marble ground (09/12/2015)
  • VIRGIN AND CHILD Italian (Bologna); about 1750 Gilt bronze After Alessandro Algardi (1598-1654) This group depicting Virgin and Child is based on Algardi’s design for an altarpiece in San Nicola da Tolentino, Rome (1651). During the eighteenth century designs were often reproduced in other materials for different settings. The coat of arms is that of Pope Benedict XIV (Lambertini) who was elected to the papacy in 1741 and died in 1758 and this relief comes from the Palazzo Lambertini, Bologna. (1993 - 2011)
Subjects depicted
Putti
Roses
Virgin Mary
Jesus
Summary
The group of the Virgin and Child is based on Algardi's design for an altarpiece in San Nicola da Tolentino, Rome (1651). The coat of arms is that of Pope Benedict XIV (Lambertini) who was elected to the papacy in 1741 and died in 1758. The relief comes from the Palazzo Lambertini, Bologna.
Bibliographic references
  • Montagu, Jennifer, 'Alessandro Algardi's Altar of S. Nicola da Tolentino and some related Models', The Burlington Magazine, May 1970, vol. CXII.
  • Montagu, Jennifer, Alessandro Algardi New haven and London, 1985, cat. 66L, B. 4c.3, p. 369
  • Heimbürger Ravalli, Minna. Alessandro Algardi, Scultore, Rome, 1973, cat. no. 63, pl. XCIX, p. 164.
  • Medlam, S. and Ellis Miller, L. (eds.) Princely Treasures: European Masterpieces 1600-1800 from the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V&A Publishing, 2011.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.5-1966

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O312111/virgin-and-child-relief-algardi-alessandro/
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