Cleveland Museum of Art

Virgin and Child

Donatello

Date

c. 1440

Medium

bronze with traces of gilding

Culture

Italy, 15th century

Department

European Painting and Sculpture

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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.

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