The Martyrdom of Saint Paul thumbnail 1
The Martyrdom of Saint Paul thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Martyrdom of Saint Paul

Relief
second quarter of 17th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bronze relief is made by Alessandro Algardi (1595-1654) in Rome in the second quarter of the 17th century.
This and the companion relief (A.69-1952) are contemporary replicas of a gilt-bronze relief designed by Algardi to accompany the marble group of 'The Martyrdom of St. Paul' in S. Paolo, Bologna, in 1641. The altar was designed by Borromini on the commission of Cardinal Bernardino Spada.

Algardi was an Italian sculptor, architect and draughtsman. Alongside Bernini he was the most important sculptor in Rome active around the middle of the 17th century. He produced the classizing antithesis to Bernini's High Baroque sculpture. They were seen and experienced at the time as rivals and equals.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Martyrdom of Saint Paul (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Circular relief in bronze
Brief description
Relief, bronze, The Martyrdom of Saint Paul, by Alessandro Algardi, Italian (Bolognese), second quarter of 17th century
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 45.7cm
Object history
Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1952.
This and the companion relief (A.69-1952) are contemporary replicas of a gilt-bronze relief designed by Algardi to accompany the marble group of 'The Martyrdom of St. Paul' in S. Paolo, Bologna, in 1641. The altar was designed by Borromini on the commission of Cardinal Bernardino Spada.
Subject depicted
Summary
This bronze relief is made by Alessandro Algardi (1595-1654) in Rome in the second quarter of the 17th century.
This and the companion relief (A.69-1952) are contemporary replicas of a gilt-bronze relief designed by Algardi to accompany the marble group of 'The Martyrdom of St. Paul' in S. Paolo, Bologna, in 1641. The altar was designed by Borromini on the commission of Cardinal Bernardino Spada.

Algardi was an Italian sculptor, architect and draughtsman. Alongside Bernini he was the most important sculptor in Rome active around the middle of the 17th century. He produced the classizing antithesis to Bernini's High Baroque sculpture. They were seen and experienced at the time as rivals and equals.
Associated object
111-1869 (Version)
Bibliographic references
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Volume II: Text. Sixteenth to Twentieth Century. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1964, pp. 614, 15, cat.no. 647
  • Raggio, Olga. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albertt Museum. Art Bulletin. Vol. L, 1968, p. 104
Collection
Accession number
A.68-1952

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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