A visual comparison and historical survey is made between the work of Francesco da Sangallo and a bronze group of nude men riding beasts, presently attributed to Michelangelo.
Recent Posts
A Devotional Diorama in Wax, Silk, Paint and Glass, attributable to Caterina de Julianis
A previously unattributed work from a collection of waxes can now be associated as a work attributable to the Neapolitan wax-modeler, Caterina de Julianis, the protege of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo.
Glyptics, Italian Plaquettes in France and their Reproduction in Enamel
The emergence of Italian plaquettes in France and their use by the enamelers of Limoges, especially Jean Penicaud II and the Master KIP.
The Paxes and Reliefs of Antonio Gentili da Faenza
An examination of Antonio Gentili’s reworking of Guglielmo della Porta’s models and proposed attributions for several reliefs and paxes.
An overlooked ‘Christ the Redeemer’ in the ambit of Bartolomeo Bellano
Exploring an undiscussed and unique plaquette in the Louvre collections…its identity, function and possible maker.
Bernardi or Wallbaum?
Discussing a plaquette relief popularly attributed to the Italian gem engraver, Giovanni Bernardi, but herewith correctly attributed to Matthaus Wallbaum.
A selection of plaquettes from the Villa Cagnola: Their Function and Meaning
Supplementary essay for an exhibition of plaquettes at the Villa Cagnola library: Il fascino dell’antico nelle placchette in bronzo della Collezione Cagnola (October 2017)
El Greco’s Roman Period and the Influence of Guglielmo della Porta
A survey of Guglielmo della Porta’s influence on the artistic personality of El Greco. Also suggested is the possibility El Greco could have worked for Guglielmo providing miniatures for use in the production of altar crosses and tabernacles during the painter’s enigmatic Roman period.
Three Plaquettes by Francesco Francia or his Circle: proposing an identity for Pseudo-Fra Antonio da Brescia
Proposed is an identity for the elusive plaquette maker dubbed Pseudo-Fra Antonio da Brescia. Also suggested is the possibility a plaquette may have been inspired by Albrecht Durer’s visit to Bologna in 1506-07.
Head of Pan: Lorenzo, Michelangelo, Attila and a lost plaquette prototype
Examined is the discovery of an engraved rock crystal evidently serving as the master prototype for a quantity of late 15th century bronze plaquettes. A relationship of the rock crystal with Lorenzo de’ Medici is drawn by way of a relationship with its subject: a Head of Pan. Also discussed is the crystal’s reproduction in a sketch by a young Michelangelo and finally surveyed is the curious loss of the object’s meaning in exchange for what would become a universally vilified image of Attila the Hun.
