Virgin and Child
Medium
bronze with traces of gilding
Dimensions
9.5 × 7.6 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
European Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Accession Number
1984.53
Tags
male
About this artwork
Plaquettes emerged during the Renaissance in connection with the revival of interest in ancient Greek and Roman coins and medallions. This small-scale devotional image provided a personal and private connection between the owner and the religious figures. The two small holes suggest that it may have been hung on a wall, and the child's foreshortened arms and slant of the Virgin's head could imply that it was originally placed above eye level.