Bellerophon and the Chimera
Plaquette
ca. 1475-80 (made)
ca. 1475-80 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This plaquette depicts the ancient Greek hero Bellerophon slaying the Chimera, a hybrid monster combining physical features of a lion, goat, and serpent. Homer described this mythological episode in the Iliad. The composition is very closely related to the verso of a medal of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, made by the Sienese artist Francesco di Giorgio, so it is likely that the plaquette was made for the same patron at a similar moment. The shape suggests that it was intended to decorate a sword pommel. Another version of this plaquette, gilded, is in the Bode-Museum, Berlin.
Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs 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 or reliefs 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 | Bellerophon and the Chimera (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Bronze |
Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, Bellerophon and the Chimera, by Francesco di Giorgio, Italy (Siena), ca. 1475-80 |
Physical description | Plaquette depicting Bellerophon, naked, on a neighing horse, thrusting a spear through the throat of the Chimera. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'CHIMERA' (incised) |
Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This plaquette depicts the ancient Greek hero Bellerophon slaying the Chimera, a hybrid monster combining physical features of a lion, goat, and serpent. Homer described this mythological episode in the Iliad. The composition is very closely related to the verso of a medal of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, made by the Sienese artist Francesco di Giorgio, so it is likely that the plaquette was made for the same patron at a similar moment. The shape suggests that it was intended to decorate a sword pommel. Another version of this plaquette, gilded, is in the Bode-Museum, Berlin. Plaquettes are small plaques or reliefs 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 | A.410-1910 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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