Box with Episodes from the Life of the Spinola Family 1636
mattheusmelijn
natural stone pattern
toned paper
detailed texture
stoneware
fabric design
watercolour bleed
layered pattern
pencil art
watercolor
intricate and detailed
"Box with Episodes from the Life of the Spinola Family" (1636) by Mattheus Melijn is a silver relief depicting a scene from the life of the Spinola family, likely an influential Genoese family. Melijn, a Dutch painter and sculptor, utilized intricate detail in the relief, highlighting the figures' armor and attire, creating a sense of depth and realism. This work demonstrates Melijn's expertise in depicting historical scenes, capturing both the grandeur and the intimate details of the Spinola family's life. The high relief style and the focus on historical figures suggest a connection to the tradition of Renaissance sculpture and the genre of history painting.
Comments
In the 17th century various silversmiths from the Netherlands were active in the Italian city of Genoa. They were celebrated for their skills in rendering stories in very high relief. These plaquettes are made by the most famous of these craftsmen, Mattheus Melijn of Antwerp. They feature episodes from the life of the Spinola family, and show how a city can be conquered: Maria Spinola procured a duchy through the power of love, her brother Ambrogio through military might. Gianbattista Spinola here receives the keys to the Duchy of San Pietro in Galatina (Sicily). From then on, he and his wife Maria Spinola were the duke and duchess and were adored by the people.
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