Deposition

Inscriptions

Inscribed, on top of cross: INRI

Label

These low-relief images depict important religious narrative scenes and Christian figures. Representations of Christ’s descent from the cross and his burial were especially popular subjects because they visualized the physical nature of Christ’s death and resurrection; other scenes allowed viewers to meditate on specific saints or biblical stories. Devotional plaquettes had many uses and were commonly owned in Italy at the turn of the 16th century. Framed and attached to a handle, they could become a pax for use during the Mass. They could also be set into boxes or cabinet doors or pierced and hung on a wall in a private space. Small-scale plaquettes could even be kept in a pocket. The addition of a family’s coat of arms allowed patrons to further personalize a plaquette. While they were mass produced, plaquettes were often used for personal devotion, as suggested by the patterns of wear on the surface of these reliefs, which indicate repeated touching. This selection of plaquettes suggests the diversity of sculptural production for religious use in this period.

From the 2024 exhibition Living with Sculpture: Presence and Power in Europe, 1400–1750, curated by Elizabeth Rice Mattison, Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Academic Programming and Curator of European Art, and Ashley Offill, Curator of Collections

Exhibition History

An Exhibition of Old Master Drawings and European Works of Art, Newhouse Galleries, New York, New York, [in conjunction withTrinity Fine Arts Ltd., London, England], no. 63, May 4-18, 1995.

Living with Sculpture: Presence and Power in Europe, 1400–1750, Citrin Family Gallery and Engles Family Gallery, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, March 23, 2024–March 22, 2025.

Publication History

Roger Arvid Anderson, The Roger Arvid Anderson Collection, Medals, Medallions, Plaquettes and Small Reliefs, Paintings, Sculpture, Works on Paper and Textiles, San Francisco: Roger Arvid Anderson (published privately), design by David L. Wilson, 2015, p. 187.

An Exhibition of Old Master Drawings and European Works of Art, New York: Newhouse Galleries [in conjunction withTrinity Fine Arts Ltd., London, England], catalogue no. 63, p. 126, 1995.

Provenance

Trinity Fine Art Ltd., London, before 1995; their sale at Newhouse Galleries, New York, "Old Master Drawings and European Works of Art," May 1995, cat. 63; sold to Roger Arvid Anderson, San Francisco, California, 1995; lent to present collection, 1995; given to present collection, 2016.

Catalogue Raisonne

Weber, No. 312

This record is part of an active database that includes information from historic documentation that may not have been recently reviewed. Information may be inaccurate or incomplete. We also acknowledge some language and imagery may be offensive, violent, or discriminatory. These records reflect the institution’s history or the views of artists or scholars, past and present. Our collections research is ongoing.

We welcome questions, feedback, and suggestions for improvement. Please contact us at: Hood.Collections@dartmouth.edu

Subjects