Plaque
1525-1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This plaque, numbered 10, and its pair are shaped as slightly convex, round-bottomed shields with indented upper corners. They are embossed and chased with two episodes from the Sack of Rome in 1527 by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, in his bid for domination of Europe. This plaque shows Pope Clement VII (Giulio de Medici) leaning out of the Castel Sant’Angelo, where he was imprisoned, while imperial troops stand outside with their banners. Shields with the Medici palle (the family emblem) hang on the castle wall.
It is unclear how these decorated plaques might have been used but they must have formed part of a series of at least ten. The prominence given to the imperial troops in this plaque seems to suggest that the artist was depicting events from their point of view. The pictorial style, with its unbalanced perspective, and the flat relief of the busy chased details – for example in the waves of the Tiber and the clouds from the burning of Rome – suggest that the artist was from north of the Alps rather than from Italy.
It is unclear how these decorated plaques might have been used but they must have formed part of a series of at least ten. The prominence given to the imperial troops in this plaque seems to suggest that the artist was depicting events from their point of view. The pictorial style, with its unbalanced perspective, and the flat relief of the busy chased details – for example in the waves of the Tiber and the clouds from the burning of Rome – suggest that the artist was from north of the Alps rather than from Italy.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Copper-gilt, embossed and chased |
| Brief description | Copper-gilt plaque depicting Pope Clement VII and scenes from the Sack of Rome, German or Dutch, 1525-1550 |
| Physical description | This plaque, numbered 10, is shaped as a slightly convex round-bottomed shield with indented upper corners. It is embossed and chased with episodes from the Sack of Rome, 1527 and shows Pope Clement VII leaning out of the Castillo while the Imperial troops stand outside with their banners. Shields with the Medici palle hang on the Castle wall. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mrs John Hull Grundy |
| Object history | It is unclear what this plaques must have decorated but it must have formed part of a series of at least ten. The prominence given to the Imperial troops seems to suggest that the artist was depicting the events from their point of view. |
| Production | The pictorial style, with its unbalanced perspective, and the flat relief of the busy chased details - for example in the waves of the Tiber and clouds from burning Rome - suggest that the artist was from the North of the Alps rather than from Italy. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This plaque, numbered 10, and its pair are shaped as slightly convex, round-bottomed shields with indented upper corners. They are embossed and chased with two episodes from the Sack of Rome in 1527 by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, in his bid for domination of Europe. This plaque shows Pope Clement VII (Giulio de Medici) leaning out of the Castel Sant’Angelo, where he was imprisoned, while imperial troops stand outside with their banners. Shields with the Medici palle (the family emblem) hang on the castle wall. It is unclear how these decorated plaques might have been used but they must have formed part of a series of at least ten. The prominence given to the imperial troops in this plaque seems to suggest that the artist was depicting events from their point of view. The pictorial style, with its unbalanced perspective, and the flat relief of the busy chased details – for example in the waves of the Tiber and the clouds from the burning of Rome – suggest that the artist was from north of the Alps rather than from Italy. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.267A-1977 |
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| Record created | March 18, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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