Box with Episodes from the Life of the Spinola Family 1636

Mattheus Melijn created this box with episodes from the life of the Spinola family sometime in the first half of the 17th century, using alabaster. The Spinola family was a prominent and powerful family from Genoa, in present-day Italy, who rose to prominence in banking and trade during the medieval period. By the 17th century, they had become deeply involved in the politics and military affairs of the Spanish Empire. This box likely served as a commemorative object, celebrating key moments and figures in the Spinola family history. The choice of alabaster lends a sense of classical nobility. In studying this piece, a historian might consider the conventions of family portraiture in the 17th century, the role of noble families in shaping political events, and the visual strategies used to convey power and status. The box provides a glimpse into the self-fashioning of an elite family during a time of significant social and political change. Ultimately, the meaning of the art is tied to its historical and institutional context.