Nativity with Gloria in excelsis

Robbia, Luca della (1399/1400-1482)

Item type:

sculpture

Date of creation:

ca. 1470

Height:

88.9 cm  (35 in.)

Width:

73.7 cm  (29 in.)

Depth:

20.0 cm  (7 7/8 in.)

Framed (Rectangular steel pan shaped frame / two wall cleats): 89.5 x 74.3 x 5.7 cm (35 1/4 x 29 1/4 x 2 1/4 in.) Weight: 80.29 kg (177 lb.)

Technique / Medium:

glazed terracotta

Place of creation:

Firenze (Italia)

Description

Commentary from the museum website:
The large size of this relief suggests it was made as an altarpiece for a chapel. Because of its size, the piece was made in several, easily discernible pieces that would have been easier to fit into a kiln. The sections were then assembled, to be held together by the frame. The scroll bears singable music and text for the liturgical prayer that begins Gloria in excelsis deo, or ‘Glory to God in the highest,” evoking the sound of music for the viewer.

Iconclass

73B2(+0)
adoration of the Christ-child ~ Christ's birth
48C74
notation of music

Musical works

Gloria in excelsis deolegible music notation

RIdIM images

Image URLs

image link 1

RIdIM record id

5960