Pietro Bembo
Medal
ca. 1532 (made)
ca. 1532 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal depicts the bust of Cardinal Pietro Bembo (1470-1547). He became Cardinal in 1538. It is made by Valerio Belli in Padua, probably 1532.
Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo.
He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works.
Belli spent the most important part of his career in Rome, working for two successive popes. Almost all of his bronze plaquettes are cast from his engravings in rock crystal or hardstone.
Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo.
He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works.
Belli spent the most important part of his career in Rome, working for two successive popes. Almost all of his bronze plaquettes are cast from his engravings in rock crystal or hardstone.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Pietro Bembo (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Medal, bronze, Pietro Bembo, by Valerio Belli, Italy (Padua), ca. 1532 |
| Physical description | Medal depicts on the obverse the bust to the left of Bembo. Inscription. On the reverse Bembo, naked to the waist seated towards the right, half reclining by the side of a spring. Behind him a copse. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'PETRI BEMBI' (obverse) |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This medal depicts the bust of Cardinal Pietro Bembo (1470-1547). He became Cardinal in 1538. It is made by Valerio Belli in Padua, probably 1532. Belli (1468-1546) was born into a respected Vicentine family. He trained as a goldsmith and developed considerable skills in engraving crystals and dies. For Pope Clement VII he created his masterpiece, a crystal casket with 24 scenes from the life of Christ, now in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Belli was strongly influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo. He had a facility to work very quickly, and Vasari noted that Belli had flooded the world with his works. Belli spent the most important part of his career in Rome, working for two successive popes. Almost all of his bronze plaquettes are cast from his engravings in rock crystal or hardstone. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 32 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.241-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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