Virgin and Child with God the Father and Six Angels thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Virgin and Child with God the Father and Six Angels

Relief
ca. 1430-50 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This relief is made in the workshop of Michele da Firenze, in Florence in the second quarter of the 15th century.

This relief appears to have been produced in the same workshop that was responsible for three complexes of terracotta sculpture produced ca. 1425-1450, including the Pellegrini Chapel in Sant' Anastasis at Verona. The name of Michele da Firenze is found in a document of 1436 recording payment for the reliefs in the pellegrini Chapel and it may be assumed he was the Master of the workshop, in the productions of which various hands are discernable. The reliefs from this shop were all originally painted and gilt, and traces survive on this relief.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleVirgin and Child with God the Father and Six Angels (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Relief in Stucco
Brief description
Relief, Virgin and Child with God the Father and Six Angels, from the workshop of Michele di Firenze, Italy, Florence, ca. 1430-50
Physical description
The Virgin is enthroned on a shallow platform holding the Child on her right knee. At each side are two angels. Above the Virgin and Child is a canopy, the curtains of which are held back by two further angels. God the Father is shown in benediction at the apex of the scene. The relief is made in one with its elaborate surround, which comprises an arched central section supported by pairs of spiral columns, with decorated spandrels. Round the edges are strips of gothic tracery and in the centre at the bottom is a shield (argent, a moor's head erased proper facing dexter and wreathed with a band of the first charged with three letters T sable). A further strip of decoration at the base is truncated by the wooden frame. There are traces of gilding on the step of the throne and blue paint in the background.
Dimensions
  • Height: 94cm
  • Width: 67.9cm
  • Estimate weight: 45kg
Object history
This relief appears to have been produced in the same workshop that was responsible for three complexes of terracotta sculpture produced ca. 1425-1450, including the Pellegrini Chapel in Sant' Anastasis at Verona. The name of Michele da Firenze is found in a document of 1436 recording payment for the reliefs in the pellegrini Chapel and it may be assumed he was the Master of the workshop, in the productions of which various hands are discernable. The reliefs from this shop were all originally painted and gilt, and traces survive on this relief.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This relief is made in the workshop of Michele da Firenze, in Florence in the second quarter of the 15th century.

This relief appears to have been produced in the same workshop that was responsible for three complexes of terracotta sculpture produced ca. 1425-1450, including the Pellegrini Chapel in Sant' Anastasis at Verona. The name of Michele da Firenze is found in a document of 1436 recording payment for the reliefs in the pellegrini Chapel and it may be assumed he was the Master of the workshop, in the productions of which various hands are discernable. The reliefs from this shop were all originally painted and gilt, and traces survive on this relief.
Bibliographic references
  • Bellosi, Luciano. ed. Pittura di Luce: Giovanni di Francesco e l'arte Florentine di Meta Quattrocento. . Catalogue of the exhibition held at Casa Buonarroti, Florence, May-August 1990. Milan, 1990 p. 150
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1861 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. 27
  • Maclagan, Eric and Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture. Text. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1932, p. 18
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Volume I: Text. Eighth to Fifteenth Century. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1964, pp. 68, 69
Collection
Accession number
7366-1861

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 30, 2002
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest