Pax with the Madonna and Child
Moderno (Italian, 1467–1528)
after 1506
Medium
silver and gilt silver
Dimensions
11.8 × 7 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
European Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin
Accession Number
1989.251
Tags
male
About this artwork
A pax is a small flat tablet decorated with Christian images and meant to be kissed by the priest before Communion. The Madonna, crowned with a halo, sits with the Christ child on her right knee, and her drapery falls delicately off her right shoulder as she exposes her breast to the Christ child. Christ's posture is characteristic of an infant, and his body turns out as he clasps onto his mother's drapery while his head faces inward. In the background, Saint Joseph holds a cross. Two angels, ea...