Crucifix

late 16th century

Workshop of Miseroni Italian, 16th century

On View

European: Medieval and Renaissance, Level 2, West Wing

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About the Artwork

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Provenance

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Published References

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Catalogue Raisonné

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

This exceptional crucifix likely came from the workshop of brothers Gasparo (1518 – 1573) and Girolamo (1520 – 1600) Miseroni, master goldsmiths and hardstone carvers of Milan. Their family workshop specialized in creating precious rock crystal luxury objects for several of the most notable courts of Europe. The body of Christ and the main part of the cross, cuffed at each end in enameled gold, are cut out of a single, large piece of rock crystal. The entire base of the cross is carved from another piece of rock crystal, which is decorated with incised cherubs and floral ornaments. This crucifix could have been a courtly gift intended for display and worship in a princely private devotional chapel. This is the first Renaissance rock crystal work to enter the museum’s collection.

Title Crucifix

Artwork Date late 16th century

Artist Workshop of Miseroni

Life Dates 16th century

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. Italian

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. ----------

Medium Rock crystal, gold and enamel

Dimensions Overall: 11 7/8 × 7 1/2 × 3 5/8 inches (30.2 × 19.1 × 9.2 cm)

Classification Glyptic Art

Department European Sculpture and Dec Arts

Credit Museum Purchase, Joseph M. de Grimme Memorial Fund; with funds from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brodie, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fuller; and gifts from Anna Thompson Dodge, Eleanor Clay Ford, Mr. and Mrs. Kaye G. Frank, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar B. Whitcomb, Bernard Savage Reilly, and Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Levin, by exchange

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 2004.28

Markings

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Provenance

by 1950s, Blumka family (Vienna, Austria and New York, New York, USA);
2004-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA);

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Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

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Published References

Darr, Alan. P., Brian Gallagher. "Recent acquisitions (2000-2006) of European sculpture and decorative arts at The Detroit Institute of Arts." The Burlington Magazine 149, no. 1251 (June 2007): p. 450, (pl. 3).

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

workshop of Miseroni, Crucifix, late 16th century, rock crystal, gold and enamel. Detroit Institute of Arts, Museum Purchase, Joseph M. de Grimme Memorial Fund; with funds from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brodie, et al., 2004.28.