The emergence of Italian plaquettes in France and their use by the enamelers of Limoges, especially Jean Penicaud II and the Master KIP.
Recent Posts
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.
Reconstituting a Crucifix by Guglielmo della Porta and his Colleagues
A crucifix model currently attributed to Giambologna should instead be reconstituted as a work by Guglielmo della Porta and his circle of collaborators.
A Group of Gold Repoussé Reliefs attributable to Cesare Targone
A series of impressive gold reliefs currently associated with Antonio Gentili da Faenza are instead suggested as the work of Cesare Targone.
