The Virgin and Child thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Virgin and Child

Plaquette
middle of 15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bronze plaque, representing the Virgin and Child is made by the workshop of Donatello, in Italy, Florence, in the middle of the 15th century.

Donatello (1386-1466) was an early Renaissance sculptor and artist from Florence, who became well known for his bas-relief works, which already incorporated perspective illusionism. He was the most imaginative and versatile of the early Renaissance artists, famous for his rendering of human character and for his dramatic narratives.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Virgin and Child (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Plaquette, bronze, the Virgin and Child, by the workshop of Donatello, Italy, Florence, 15th century
Physical description
Plaque depicts the half-length figure of the Virgin holding the Infant Saviour in her arms.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.5cm
  • Width: 8.6cm
Object history
Acquired in London
Subject depicted
Summary
This bronze plaque, representing the Virgin and Child is made by the workshop of Donatello, in Italy, Florence, in the middle of the 15th century.

Donatello (1386-1466) was an early Renaissance sculptor and artist from Florence, who became well known for his bas-relief works, which already incorporated perspective illusionism. He was the most imaginative and versatile of the early Renaissance artists, famous for his rendering of human character and for his dramatic narratives.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1859. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 41
  • Maclagan, Eric. Catalogue of Italian Plaquettes . London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1924, p. 16
  • Jolly, Anna. Madonnas by Donatello and his Circle. Phd Thesis, Cambridge 1992, pp. 21, 33-34, 65, cat. 43-2, 125-128
Collection
Accession number
5473-1859

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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