The Descent of Aeneas into Hell
Plaquette
last quarter 16th century (made)
last quarter 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze plaque showing the descent of Aeneas into hell is made by the Master of the Orpheus Legend, in the last quarter on the 16th century in Florence or North Italy.
Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.
Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Descent of Aeneas into Hell (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, The Descent of Aeneas into Hell, by the Master of the Orpheus Legend, Italy, last quarter of 15th century |
| Physical description | This bronze plaquette depicts on the left the Cumaean Sibyl, carrying in her right hand the golden bough, steps into Charon's boat followed by Aeneas, who holds in his right hand a long staff. Standing in the boat to the right Charon beats off with his oar male and female phantoms who would enter it. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze plaque showing the descent of Aeneas into hell is made by the Master of the Orpheus Legend, in the last quarter on the 16th century in Florence or North Italy. Plaquettes are small plaques made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440s with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 6992-1860 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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