The Institution of the Rosary

Description

This relief panel shows Jesus crowning the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Heaven. Angels surround and support both figures. Some hold rosaries, strings of beads celebrating events in the Virgin’s life and used to count prayers in her honor. The style of the elaborate frame was incredibly popular for both small and large artworks; the type became known as the “Sansovino frame” in reference to Jacopo Sansovino, one of the most influential Italian sculptors and designers in 16th-century Venice and the likely maker of this object.

The Institution of the Rosary

Circle of Jacopo Sansovino

c. 1590

Accession Number

158015

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

18.1 × 12.7 × 0.9 cm (7 1/8 × 5 × 11 in.)

Classification

medal/plaquette/coin

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift from the Edward A. and Inge Maser Collection in honor of Ian Wardropper