Picture
1775-1800 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This micromosaic copies one of a group of five sibyls which Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1508-12). Because they were known for their prophetic gifts, the pagan sibyls were depicted by Michelangelo alongside the Christian prophets.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Glass micromosaic, marble and slate with gilded wood frame |
| Brief description | Micromosaic picture depicting the Erythraean Sibyl after Michelangelo, micromosaic and marble with gilt wood frame, Vatican Mosaic Workshop, Italy, 1775-1800. |
| Physical description | Rectangular micromosaic depicting Michelangelo's Erythrean Sibyl. She sits in right profile on an architectural platform wearing colourful ancient garments. She points to a large book with her left hand while her right hand hangs at her side. Behind her are two putti, one lighting an oil lamp. The mosaic is set into a plaque and a gilt frame. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | 'The Erythraean Sibyl'
1775-1800
This micromosaic copies one of a group of five sibyls which Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1508-12). Owing to their prophetic gifts, these pagan figures were depicted alongside the Christian prophets.
Italy; probably Vatican Mosaic Workshop, Rome
Glass micromosaic, marble and slate with gilded wood frame
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert. 185:1,2-2008(2009) |
| Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
| Object history | Provenance: Mayfair Gallery Ltd., London, 1996. Historical significance: The attribution to the Vatican workshop is based on the fact that its predominant source of subject matter was the religious art in the Vatican. |
| Historical context | The Sibyls, gifted with the power of prophesy, addressed the Gentiles and thus symbolized the New Testament; whereas the Prophets, who addressed the Jewish peoples, represent the Old Testament. Each Sibyl was named after the nation of her mission; thus the Erythraen Sibyl was named after Ionia. Her role was to teach enlightenment to the Church. She prophesied the details of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ and the Last Judgment, which was the subject of the altarpiece in the Sistine Chapel. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary references |
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| Summary | This micromosaic copies one of a group of five sibyls which Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1508-12). Because they were known for their prophetic gifts, the pagan sibyls were depicted by Michelangelo alongside the Christian prophets. Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996. |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.185:1, 2-2008 |
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| Record created | June 26, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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