Wedding chest (cassone), 15th century
Unknown artist, Italyexpand_more
Poplar with gilt and painted gesso decorationexpand_more
The William Hood Dunwoody Fundexpand_more 16.747
On View in Gallery 343expand_more
This wedding chest is an example of pastiglia, Italian for “pastework.” The “paste” (usually gesso) was applied to the wood and sculpted into ornamental designs. This technique was especially popular in the dazzling city of Siena, where patrons demanded rich decoration featuring themes from classical antiquity.
The women in the center personify the four cardinal virtues—Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, and Prudence. On the left, two half-man, half-animal monsters battle each other while on the right a happy girl rides on a centaur. These creatures may represent our animal instincts, which we can overcome with the help of the virtues. Such imagery is typical of chests made by artists working with the Sienese painter, sculptor, and architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini, who frequently depicted mythological beasts and battles.
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Details
- Title
- Wedding chest (cassone)
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 16.747
- Provenance
- Elia Volpi, Palazzo Davanzati, Florence (until 1916, his sale, American Art Galleries, New York, November 23, 1916, no. 438, for $4,300, to French & Co for Mia)
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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