Keywords: Giovanni Bernardi - Plaque with Christ before Pilate - Walters 41240.jpg This work may be from a set of engraved rock crystal plaques depicting the life of Christ that according to the writer Giorgio Vasari Giovanni Bernardi completed in 1547 for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese 1520-89 They were probably intended to be set into a casket by another craftsman Bernardi was one of the most famous rock crystal engravers of the Renaissance This plaque-with its closely packed relief-like arrangement oval shape and tightly drawn figures-points to his familiarity with Roman intaglio carving on gems The artist signed the plaque with his first name in Latin and F short for fecit made this ca 1547 Renaissance rock crystal gold frame with enamel pearls and rubies cm 10 12 accession number 41 240 23974 Cook date and mode of acquisition unknown Cook Sale July 1925 no 469 Sadie Jones Mrs Henry Walters New York date and mode of acquisition unknown Mrs Henry Walters Sale New York December 4 1943 no 996 Walters Art Museum 1943 by purchase Museum purchase with funds provided by the S and A P Fund 1943 Translation Giovanni F The Taste of Maryland Art Collecting in Maryland 1800-1934 The Walters Art Gallery Baltimore 1984 place of origin Rome Italy Walters Art Museum license Renaissance applied arts in the Walters Art Museum Giovanni Bernardi Rock crystal objects Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review Christ before Pilate |