The Adoration of the shepherds
Intaglio
1525-1550 (made)
1525-1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The art of engraving gemstones has been admired since the early days of the Roman empire. It was revived in Europe during the Renaissance, and again in the 18th and 19th centuries. Cameos and intaglios were prized and collected, sometimes as symbols of power and mounted in jewelled settings, sometimes as small objects for private devotion or enjoyment. A coloured backing was sometimes used to enhance the carving of a rock crystal engraving. Here, a soft paste of gold, ground and mixed with wax and possibly honey, has been pressed into the cavities on the reverse. A second layer of ultramarine and wax completes the rich effect.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Adoration of the shepherds (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Rock crystal, with gold and ultramarine on reverse |
| Brief description | Rock crystal with gold leaf and ultramarine ground, Italian, by Giovanni Bernardi (1496-1553), about 1547 |
| Physical description | The Virgin and St. Joseph sit facing each other on the right and left of the composition. Between them the Child lies in a wicker basket set diagonally across the picture. Behind are two shepherds, and an ox and an ass while an angel holding a scroll floats in the sky above. The background is composed of a classical building and a stable. Behind the Virgin on the base of the building is shown the signature of the artist: 'JOAN / NES'. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'JOAN / NES'. (Signature; Behind the Virgin on the base of the building.) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The art of engraving gemstones has been admired since the early days of the Roman empire. It was revived in Europe during the Renaissance, and again in the 18th and 19th centuries. Cameos and intaglios were prized and collected, sometimes as symbols of power and mounted in jewelled settings, sometimes as small objects for private devotion or enjoyment. A coloured backing was sometimes used to enhance the carving of a rock crystal engraving. Here, a soft paste of gold, ground and mixed with wax and possibly honey, has been pressed into the cavities on the reverse. A second layer of ultramarine and wax completes the rich effect. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.12-1938 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | January 12, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
