Plate
Date1546
Label TextThe scene depicts a story from the Old Testament. As the Israelites fled out of Egypt, Moses was called by God to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. During his absence, Aaron fashioned an idol, the golden calf.
This plate is an example of a narrative style of decoration known as istoriato (literally, storied), which treats tin-glazed earthenware as a canvas-a ground for finely painted historical, genre, mythological and, in this case, biblical scenes that bring realism and perspective to ceramic art. Tin-glazed earthenwares (maiolica) with istoriato decoration were considered important works of art in their own time and are respected today as one of Renaissance Italy's finest artistic achievements.
The scene on this plate is most likely the Adoration of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32). As the Israelites fled from Egypt, Moses was called by God to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. During his forty days of absence, the people grew restless and longed for a god to protect them. Aaron took the gold and precious jewels of the Israelites and fashioned the Golden Calf. Moses returned to find his people worshipping the idol.
The scene on this plate is most likely the Adoration of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32). As the Israelites fled from Egypt, Moses was called by God to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. During his forty days of absence, the people grew restless and longed for a god to protect them. Aaron took the gold and precious jewels of the Israelites and fashioned the Golden Calf. Moses returned to find his people worshipping the idol.
Object number49.31
ProvenancePurchased December 6, 1948 from R. Stora & Company
Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Medieval, Renaissance & Baroque Galleries", December 24, 1998 - December 24, 1999, (12/24/1998-12/24/1999)Published ReferencesMallet, J.V.G. The Painter of the Coal-Mine Dish in Italian Renaissance Pottery. Edited by T. Wilson. London 1991, pp. 62-73.
Mallet, J.V.G. One artist or two? The painter of the so-called ‘Della Rovere’ dishes and the painter of the Coalmine service, Faenza 89 (2003), nos. 1-6, pp. 50-74.
Seattle Art Museum: Bridging Cultures. London: Scala Publishers Ltd. for the Seattle Art Museum, 2007, p. 55.
Italian Treasures in the U.S.: An Itinerary of Art. Edited by Renato Miracco. Rome: Gangemi Editore International Publishing, 2015, reproduced p. 202.
Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection
Dimensions2 1/4 x 15 7/8 in. (5.7 x 40.3 cm)
MediumMaiolica
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