Box with Episodes from the Life of the Spinola Family 1636
mattheusmelijn
natural stone pattern
rippled sketch texture
pale palette
detailed texture
paper texture
hand-embroidered
crafted
watercolour bleed
structured
watercolor
"Box with Episodes from the Life of the Spinola Family" is a silver relief created by Mattheus Melijn in 1636. The artwork depicts a series of scenes from the life of the Spinola family, a prominent Genoese family who played a significant role in the military and politics of the 17th century. Melijn's use of bas-relief, a sculptural technique where the image is raised slightly from a flat surface, creates a sense of depth and realism. The scene is set against a backdrop of a fortified city, likely Genoa, which is depicted in a detailed and realistic manner. The relief is a testament to the artistic skills of Melijn, who was a renowned silver smith of his time. The box serves as a reminder of the power and influence of the Spinola family during the 17th century.
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. Between 1628 and 1631 France and Spain fought over the right of succession to the Duchy of Mantua. The Spanish army was under the command of Ambrogio Spinola. However, he did not have to suffer defeat at French hands: Ambrogio died in 1630 during the Siege of Casale Monferrato.
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