Vase with Biblical Scenes, including the Building of the Tower of Babel and the Scattering of the People

Gallery 350, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

Vase with Biblical Scenes, including the Building of the Tower of Babel and the Scattering of the People

c. 1560-1571

Workshop of Orazio Fontana (Italian (active Urbino), c. 1510–1571)

This vase, one of a pair, is among the few pieces inscribed as from the workshop of Orazio Fontana. Orazio was recognized in his day as the innovator of the grotesque style of decoration as applied to maiolica. In color, line, and composition, this vase is superior to its pendant, but each of the vases showing biblical scenes was probably painted by more than one artisan. The range of styles and variable quality of the painting on these "signed" vases are indicative of the complexity of the productions from Orazio's workshop.

Gallery 350, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Object Details

Title:

Vase with Biblical Scenes, including the Building of the Tower of Babel and the Scattering of the People

Date:

c. 1560-1571

Artist:

Workshop of Orazio Fontana (Italian (active Urbino), c. 1510–1571)

Medium:

Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)

Dimensions:

21 5/8 × 12 5/8 inches (54.9 × 32.1 cm)

Classification:

Containers

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Bloomfield Moore Fund and Museum Funds, 1944

Accession Number:

1944-15-3

Geography:

Made in Urbino, Italy, Europe

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Gallery 350, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

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