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)
Tag: placchette
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.
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.
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.
Tazza Farnese / Allegory of the Nile
Riddick collection No. 02 – An in-depth discussion of bronze casts reproducing the celebrated Tazza Farnese, linked to a modern facture in the Chiurazzi foundry of Naples and an unidentified foundry probably in Florence.
Gemma Augustea
Riddick collection No. 03 – A unique, modern bronze cast of the famed Gemma Augustea.
