The Fall of Phaeton

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silver plaquette, created in central Italy during the mid-16th century, captures the dramatic myth of Phaeton’s fall. The young son of the sun god Helios, Phaeton loses control of father’s chariot and plummets to earth after Zeus strikes him down with a thunderbolt. Measuring just four by five centimeters, the work’s compact scale highlights the remarkable skill of Renaissance metalworkers who could convey intense movement and emotion within a tiny surface. Produced “after the Antique,” the piece reflects the period’s deep fascination with classical mythology and ancient Roman art. Artists of the time often drew inspiration from engraved gems, coins, and reliefs, adapting these sources into precious materials like silver. Such objects were prized by collectors for their refined craftsmanship and ability to bring ancient stories into private cabinets of curiosity. As a gift to the National Gallery of Art from Lisa and Leonard Baskin, this sculpture offers visitors a tangible connection to Renaissance humanism. Its gleaming surface and dynamic composition remind us how classical tales of ambition and divine justice continued to resonate centuries later.