Broad-rimmed bowl with Neptune raping Theophane; arms of Pucci with an "ombrellino" 1532

This broad-rimmed bowl depicting Neptune raping Theophane was made in Italy, probably in Urbino, in the mid-16th century, by Francesco Xanto Avelli, using tin-glazed earthenware. It connects to a wider social context that values dynastic symbolism. The bowl creates meaning through visual codes associated with classical mythology and heraldry. It represents the mythological episode of Neptune transforming Theophane into a sheep so he could violate her. The bowl also features the arms of the Pucci family, adorned with an "ombrellino," a papal umbrella, signifying their patronage by the Church. Italy during this time was characterized by its complex social structures, with powerful families and the Church wielding significant influence. This bowl subtly reinforces the power dynamics of its time. It is self-consciously conservative, celebrating the patronage of the Church. Understanding the social context of this bowl involves researching the history of the Pucci family, exploring the role of mythology in Renaissance art, and understanding the dynamics of patronage in the art world. Art historians can use these resources to better understand the bowl's meaning as contingent on its social and institutional context.