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Medallion

17th century (made), circa 1864 (cast)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This oval medallion is from the Campo Santo in Pisa. It is decorated with arabesques in low relief, and the bust at its centre depicts Michelangelo. This plaster cast was purchased from Messrs. Franchi and Son in 1864 after the 17th century Italian original.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Plaster cast
Brief description
Oval medallion with the bust of Michelangelo, from the Campo Santo in Pisa. Plaster cast purchased from Messrs. Franchi and Son in 1864 after 17th century Italian original.
Physical description
Oval medallion with the bust of Michelangelo in high relief surrounded by arabesques in low relief.
Dimensions
  • Approximately height: 36cm
  • Approximately width: 28cm
  • Weight: 1.5kg
Style
Object history
Bought from Messrs. Franchi and Son for £1 1s. Two copies hung in the Museum.
Historical context
By the 1850s, plaster cast reproductions had become a lucrative business throughout Europe. Anglo-Italian castmakers, such as Giovanni Franchi and Domenico Brucciani, established businesses in London. In 1864, as part of the Museum's campaign of cast acquisition, Franchi was sent to Italy to take casts of the Giovanni Pisano pulpit at in the Cathedral at Pisa. This project was initiated by the first curator of the South Kensington museum, John Charles Robinson, who acquired much Italian sculpture for the South Kensington Museum.
Production
This plaster cast was purchased from Messrs. Franchi and Son in 1864 after the 17th century Italian original.
Subject depicted
Summary
This oval medallion is from the Campo Santo in Pisa. It is decorated with arabesques in low relief, and the bust at its centre depicts Michelangelo. This plaster cast was purchased from Messrs. Franchi and Son in 1864 after the 17th century Italian original.
Bibliographic reference
Collection
Accession number
REPRO.1864A-74

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Record createdOctober 29, 2010
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