Plaquette, Virgin and Child
- Attributed to
- Jacopo Tatti Sansovino, Italian, 1486–1570
- Date
- 16th century
- Material
- Bronze
- Classification
- Metalwork, sculpture
- Collection
- European Art to 1800
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 4 7/8 x 4 1/8 in. (12.4 x 10.5 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 224:1923
NOTES
The Virgin Mary, holding her son, Jesus, in her lap, sits atop a church building that in turn rests on a bank of clouds and cherubs. This plaque celebrates one of the most important shrines for Catholics in the 16th century, the house in which Mary was born and raised until her early teens.
According to narratives, Mary’s house was miraculously transported from the Holy Land to the western Italian city of Loreto in the 13th century. A sanctuary was built around the house, and in the 16th century, the simple brick structure was encased in an elaborately sculpted marble enclosure. Pilgrims who traveled to visit this popular site may have purchased plaques such as this one, both as an aid in their devotion as well as a souvenir of their trip.
According to narratives, Mary’s house was miraculously transported from the Holy Land to the western Italian city of Loreto in the 13th century. A sanctuary was built around the house, and in the 16th century, the simple brick structure was encased in an elaborately sculpted marble enclosure. Pilgrims who traveled to visit this popular site may have purchased plaques such as this one, both as an aid in their devotion as well as a souvenir of their trip.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at [email protected].