Italian Medieval and Renaissance Paintings and Sculptures

On View: West Building, Main Floor

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367 artworks on view.

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The sculpture depicts a bearded male figure sitting atop a horse-like creature. The figure is partially nude, with his right arm resting on the creature's head. The sculpture is made of ceramic with a glossy finish and is colored in various shades: the man has a flesh-toned complexion with brown hair and beard, while the sea horse is dark brown. The base of the sculpture has green and blue colors, evoking water. The sculpture showcases intricate detailing in the facial features and wavy lines suggesting the creature's mane or scales. It is medium-sized and allows viewers to observe each aspect clearly in a three-dimensional form.

Neptune on a Hippocamp

Fontainebleau Pottery, Avon Pottery

first quarter 17th century

Lead-glazed earthenware  Accession ID  2014.136.355

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M25
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The image shows a pastoral landscape with fantastical creatures depicted in a colorful and vibrant style. Two half-human, half-animal figures are engaged in various activities within the scene, which features a vividly painted sky, a flowing stream, and lush greenery. The central roundel of the dish shows a smaller scene with a figure interacting with a creature inside a circular frame surrounded by a golden rim. On the right side, a rocky formation is visible with another creature climbing or reaching. The style is reminiscent of Early Italian Renaissance art, particularly maiolica ware known for intricate and colorful narrative scenes with mythological or fantastical themes.

Plate with three Satyrs

Gubbio 16th Century

c. 1525

Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)  Accession ID  2014.136.315

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M25
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This is a painting of a scene with mythological or religious elements. The oval-shaped object is elaborately decorated with blue and white patterns, green accents, and detailed motifs. In the center, a figure kneels with bowed head and clasped hands, while another figure stands behind holding an object. An angelic figure emerges from clouds above, interacting with the scene. The background features lush greenery, trees, and a cityscape, with a small pot emitting flames. The style is reminiscent of Bernard Palissy.

Shallow Oval Dish with the Sacrifice of Isaac

17th century

Lead-glazed earthenware  Accession ID  2015.19.4063

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M25
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Created with tiny pieces of colored marble, stone, and glass, this rectangular mosaic shows four columns separated by stylized peacock feathers. Each vertical zone is divided again by two curving, garland-like swags into three sections, which are filled with birds, people, masks, or other objects, and is framed with a twisted, rope-like pattern around the edge. The entire mosaic is created with matte tones of light beige, chocolate brown, pale yellow, olive green, black, and white. In each column, a bird on a branch occupies the top section. Below, and separated by the garlands, the center sections each have a single object, with masks in the form of bearded men’s faces hanging from ribbons in the columns to our left and right. A nearly nude woman covered loosely with drapery holds a long spear and what might be a tray of leafy food in the second column from the left, and a nude man holding a curving staff and perhaps another tray or foodstuffs strides to our right in the second column from the right. Drapery flutters around each person’s shoulders. In the bottom row, there is an object like a stylized eye to our left; an L-shaped object, perhaps a stylized, broken column, in the space next to it; a mask with long hair and downturned lips in the next space; and, finally, an urn holding fruit. All four objects in the bottom row are suspended with thin cords. The background throughout is oyster white. The border is made up of butter-yellow, brick-red, and olive-green S-shapes with black and white bands, entwined to make a twisted pattern.

Symbols of Bacchus as God of Wine and the Theater

Roman 3rd Century

c. 200/225 A.D.

Mosaic, marble, and glass  Accession ID  1961.13.1

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M26
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Reliquary Cross

Spanish 16th Century

1550/1575, with late 19th century alterations

Enameled gold, rock crystal, diamonds, emerald, rubies, glass pearls  Accession ID  1942.9.295

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M27
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This is a photograph of an ornate ceramic jar. The surface of the jar is decorated with vibrant and intricate artwork featuring mythological figures and decorative floral patterns. On the upper section, there is a depiction of two figures surrounded by bright floral motifs that contain blue, green, and orange hues. Below these figures is a band with an inscription that reads "ZVCABVGAIOSA." The lower portion has additional mythical creatures, including a winged horse and a lion, also surrounded by colorful floral designs.

Albarello with nymph and satyr

Deruta 16th Century

1507

Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)  Accession ID  2014.136.334

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M17
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Twelve people are gathered along a stone bench as a thirteenth, kneeling person washes the foot of a man seated in the center of the group in this horizontal painting. All the people have pale skin and wear togas and robes in ruby red, parakeet green, sky blue, pale lilac purple, or pumpkin orange. A faint gold halo encircles each head except for one person, near the lower right. At the center of the painting, the kneeling person, Jesus, faces our right in profile. He has blond, shoulder-length ringlets and a pointed beard. He wears a red, gold-trimmed robe over a white garment. He holds the lower leg of a seated man at the center of the group, and washes the foot in a gold-colored basin. That seated man looks down at Jesus, one hand flat against his own chest. He has short, curly white hair and a full beard. Other people sit and stand along the bench, which spans the width of the composition. Most have beards and look toward Jesus. One is cleanshaven and stands near the left edge of the painting. Another cleanshaven person sits just behind Jesus. A sheer veil is tucked into the squared neckline of that person’s garment, and the front is vertically pleated. The man without the halo sits near the lower right corner, and he looks at us as he points toward Jesus. He has a brown beard and short hair, and a pouch is tucked into the band tied around his orange robe. The floor in front of the group is cream white, as is the bench, which curves in a shallow U shape in front of us. A parchment-white stone building rises immediately behind the group, with columns rising off the top edge.

Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet

Garofalo

c. 1520/1525

Oil on panel  Accession ID  2001.29.1

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M18
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The sculpture depicts a wooden table with intricate designs, including human faces and scrollwork on the supports. The wood has a rich, polished brown color. The table has a rectangular tabletop, ornate balusters, and carved legs. The carvings show heads and decorative motifs, highlighting craftsmanship. The table has an opulent and elegant appearance suitable for a classic or traditional setting.

Walnut Table with Eagles on the Supports

Florentine 16th Century

c. 1540/1560

Walnut  Accession ID  1942.9.365

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M22
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The sculpture is a bronze bowl with two intricately designed handles resembling stylized animal heads, possibly gryphons or dragons. The bowl's surface is adorned with ornate patterns and a central emblem or crest. It is crafted from bronze, giving it a dark metallic hue that highlights its design. The bowl is raised off the ground on three small feet, each matching the decorative scheme.

Bowl with a Shield of Arms and Vine Scrolls

North Italian 17th Century

c. 1600/1650

Bronze  Accession ID  1991.70.1

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M25
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The sculpture is an intricate, circular relief with a detailed pattern resembling a Gothic rose window. The design includes several human faces or busts symmetrically placed around the piece, each nested within a clover-shaped border. Made from glazed ceramic, the sculpture features a rich color palette of deep blues, pastel greens, creamy whites, and golden yellows. The ornate piece has various floral and geometric motifs creating a complex interplay of shapes and patterns. The relief elements stand out against the flat base of the sculpture.

Round Openwork Dish with Masks in Trefoils

late 16th/early 17th century

Lead-glazed earthenware  Accession ID  2015.19.4084

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M25
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This is a painting of a classical mythological scene rendered in relief on a circular object. The artwork shows multiple figures engaged in various activities within a lush, natural setting. The circular composition features a central river or waterway, in which a sea creature seems to be swimming, with figures around it. The scene is surrounded by greenery, with trees and foliage framed by the rim of the object. Various figures, wearing classical attire, are engaged in animated poses, suggesting a narrative or mythological event. The style is similar to Renaissance art, reminiscent of artists like Luca della Robbia.

Round Plate with Perseus and Andromeda

Fontainebleau Pottery, French 16th/17th Century

late 16th/early 17th century

Lead-glazed earthenware  Accession ID  2015.19.4066

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M25
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The Adoration of the Shepherds with Donor

Flemish 16th Century, Jean Mone

c. 1540/1550

Alabaster  Accession ID  2012.21.1

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M25
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