Renaissance Bronze

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 of his may have been inspired by Albrecht Durer’s visit to Bologna in 1506-07.
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.
A Renowned Pieta by Jacob Cornelis Cobaert

The most popular devotional image of Christ, ca. 1600, here attributed to Jacob Cornelis Cobaert after a design by Guglielmo della Porta.
St. Agatha of Sicily

Riddick collection No. 61 – Summary of a unique 17th century Sicilian devotional plaque here attributed to a Master of the Fercolo di St. Agatha panels.
Flagellation of Christ

Riddick collection No. 68 – Summary of a rare, early 17th century plaque of the Flagellation after Giuseppe Cesari d’Arpino.
Flagellation

Riddick collection No. 71 – Summary of an unpublished Spanish pax depicting the Flagellation, here attributed to the Circle of Francisco de Alfaro, early 17th century.
The Dictator Julius Caesar

Riddick collection No. 12 – Summary of a rarely discussed and uncataloged plaquette bust of Caesar probably cast after a Renaissance or Baroque gem.
Gemma Augustea

Riddick collection No. 03 – A unique, modern bronze cast of the famed Gemma Augustea.
A Remarkable Florentine Pax

An exceptional pax featuring a Madonna and Child group here attributed to Maso di Bartolomeo after a design by Luca della Robbia. A discussion on the early typology for architecturally inspired pax frames is also explored.
Reverse Painted Rock Crystals in the Manner of Giovanni Pietro di Birago and observations regarding a Pax at the Palazzo Madama

Discussions on the influence of Giovanni Pietro di Birago’s illuminations on mid-16th century reverse painted rock crystals and the alignment of a pax with a Spanish rather than Italian origin.
Gothic German Influences on Two Lombard Paxes, ca. 1500

Examining two rare Lombard paxes inspired by German designs or borrowed from reliefs of German origin.
Michelangelo’s Pieta in Bronze

A popular pax after Michelangelo’s Pieta for Vittoria Colonna and a Deposition pax are here suggested as the product of Ludovico and/or Jacopo del Duca while a later variant of Michelangelo’s Pieta, formed as a pax, is given to a Venetian workshop active in the first part of the 17th century.