Renaissance Bronze

MODERNO – the immortal brand of a renaissance goldsmith

This first monograph on Galeazzo Mondella (Moderno) redefines the Renaissance goldsmith through a tripartite methodology of archival research, stylistic critique, and technical analysis. Moving beyond traditional catalogues, the book reconstructs the Mondella workshop’s mercantile reality, identifies the artist’s hand across diverse media, and explores the “haptic Renaissance” of talismanic bronze objects. By dismantling anonymous master…
From Sacred Silver to Secular Steel: The Master IOFF

This paper reaffirms the enigmatic Renaissance metalworker Master IO.F.F. as Bolognese die-cutter Giovanni Francesco Furnio. Navigating Bologna’s volatile socio-political landscape and Francesco Francia’s workshop monopoly, Furnio pivoted to the secular arms trade. Through collaborative exchanges with humanists, he translated university rhetoric into bronze sword pommels. These hilts functioned as portable manifestos of martial stoicism and…
The Branch-Breaker of 1490: An Allegory of Labor and Resistance in Renaissance Nuremberg

This essay proposes a radical reinterpretation of the 1490 bronze Branch-Breaker by Adam Kraft and Peter Vischer the Elder. Long dismissed as a technical exercise, the sculpture is reimagined as a multi-layered socio-political allegory. By casting a straining laborer in patrician-controlled bronze, the artists subverted Nuremberg’s draconian labor laws and guild suppression. Cloaked within the…
Bizarre Silver: Aspertini, Peregrino, and a pair of Bolognese Paxes

Superficially attributed to the school of Francesco Francia, the silver paxes of Saint Sebastian (San Petronio) and the Crucifixion (San Martino) exhibit a stylistic rupture characterized by a “bizarre” anti-classicism. By analyzing their blocky anatomy and archaeological motifs alongside the graphic work of Amico Aspertini and Peregrino da Cesena, this article attributes the paxes’ design…
Giovan Battista Scultori as a Silversmith and the Paternity and Seriality of his Lamentation over the dead Christ

A detailed analysis of the various examples of Giovanni Battista Scultori’s Lamentation relief and his work as a silversmith and sculptor.
A Context for the Corn-Ear Master’s Virgin and Child and Imago Pietatis

Observations concerning two plaquettes attributed to the Corn-Ear Master reinforce Jeremy Warren’s idea that they were used as book covers. Additional speculation is given to this artist’s presumed activity in Mantua and possibly also in Milan.
Moderno & Associated Makers – A partnership between Galeazzo Mondella’s son and nephews

Recently discovered documents indicate Moderno’s son and nephews established a business partnership shortly after Moderno’s death, perhaps responsible for the continued perpetuation of Moderno’s plaquettes throughout Lombardy.
Renaissance painted enamels and their feature in devotional paxes: insights, ideas and observations

A survey of Renaissance painted enamels set within devotional pax frames yields ideas concerning certain enamel works-of-art, their maker’s relationship with patrons and other trades as well as certain reconsiderations concerning authorship and location. Observations concerning the presence of forgeries and pastiches are additionally discussed.
Donatello, the birth of Renaissance Plaquettes and their representation in the Berlin sculpture collection

Wilhelm von Bode’s spirit of acquisition in turn-of-the-century Berlin would result in forming a significant and comprehensive collection of Donatelloesque plaquettes, here explored for their function and influence in the genesis of plaquettes as a genre of sculpture.
Metalwork in the ambit of Raphael

Toward an opus of Antonio di Paolo Fabbri, called Antonio da San Marino and a Lamentation by Cesarino di Francesco del Roscetto, called Cesarino da Perugia.
Galeazzo Mondella’s original Entombment

Discussion of an unpublished pax of the Entombment by Galeazzo Mondella, called Moderno, at the Parish Church of San Giuliano in Bologna and a reconsideration of Milanese influences in Moderno’s career.
The Paxes of Giovanni Battista Panzeri and his workshop

A survey on rare damascened steel or iron plaquettes for use on paxes. This article is part of a larger future project that will study the art, architecture, function and history of paxes.
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.
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.
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.