The Institution of the Rosary

Art Historical Context

This bronze plaquette, created around 1590 by an artist from the circle of Jacopo Sansovino, captures a pivotal moment in Catholic devotion: the institution of the rosary. Sansovino, a leading Venetian sculptor of the Renaissance, influenced generations of artists with his dynamic compositions and classical elegance. Though produced after his death, this small relief reflects his workshop’s continued emphasis on graceful figures and balanced design in the late Mannerist style. Measuring just over seven inches wide, the work was likely intended for private contemplation or as a collector’s pie...