The Fall of Phaeton
- Object:
Plaquette
- Place of origin:
Italy (north, made)
- Date:
late 15th century to early 16th century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Moderno (medallist)
- Materials and Techniques:
Gilt bronze
- Museum number:
6762-1860
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This gilt bronze Medallion Plaque is made by Moderno, in North Italy in the late 15th or early 16th century.
It represents the story of the Fall of Phaeton. In literature it is also suggested to represent the Death of Hippolytus.
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, 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.
