Plaquettes 1500-1650: The Netherlands

The selection of plaquettes on this page demonstrates that plaquette-making flourished in the Netherlands at this period. Artists such as Jacques Jonghelinck, active in Antwerp, and Paulus van Vianen, a goldsmith in Utrecht, were most prolific in this field.

'A Horse Leaping over a Globe', allegory

'A Horse Leaping over a Globe'
Allegory
Willem van den Broeck, called Paludanus (1529-79)
Southern Netherlands (Antwerp)
About 1570-9
Bronze
Museum no. A.18-1973
Given by the Heim Gallery to commemorate the Directorship of Sir John Pope-Hennessy

Paludanus was a sculptor working in Antwerp between 1557 and 1579, mainly in alabaster. The meaning of this allegory is unknown.
 

'The Triumph of Poverty', plaquette

'The Triumph of Poverty'
Plaquette
Southern Netherlands
About 1550-1600
Bronze
Museum no. A.496-1910
Salting Bequest

This plaquette belong to a series of thirteen. Examples of the series in silver have been found on contemporary mirror frames and cabinets.

'The Triumph of Humility', Plaquette

'The Triumph of Humility'
Plaquette
Southern Netherlands
About 1550-1600
Bronze
Museum no. A.495-1910
Salting Bequest

This plaquette belong to a series of thirteen. Examples of the series in silver have been found on contemporary mirror frames and cabinets.

'The Triumph of Wealth', plaquette

'The Triumph of Wealth'
Plaquette
Southern Netherlands
About 1550-1600
Bronze
Museum no. A.43-1927
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

This plaquette belong to a series of thirteen. Examples of the series in silver have been found on contemporary mirror frames and cabinets.

'De Bours Drives Merville and Treslong out of the Citadel of Antwerp', plaquette

'De Bours Drives Merville and Treslong out of the Citadel of Antwerp'
Plaquette
Probably by Jacques de Jonghelinck (1530-1606)
About 1580
Southern Netherlands (Antwerp)
Bronze
Museum no. A.34-1975

From a set of reliefs depicting the events of the 4-6 November 1576 when mercenaries in the Spanish service launched a full-scale attack on Antwerp. Over 2500 citizens were murdered and 100 houses burned down, including the magnificent Town Hall. In August 1577, however, the Netherlandish coalition overthrew the Spanish troops in the Citadel. They then negotiated with the German mercenaries to withdraw.

The ‘Spanish Fury’ at Antwerp, plaquette

The ‘Spanish Fury’ at Antwerp
Plaquette
Probably by Jacques de Jonghelinck (1530-1606)
Southern Netherlands (Antwerp)
About 1580
Bronze
Museum no. A.38-1975

From a set of reliefs depicts the events of the 4-6 November 1576 when mercenaries in the Spanish service launched a full-scale attack on Antwerp. Over 2500 citizens were murdered and 100 houses burned down, including the magnificent Town Hall. In August 1577, however, the Netherlandish coalition overthrew the Spanish troops in the Citadel. They then negotiated with the German mercenaries to withdraw.

'The Conference between the German Troops and de Bours, de Roeck and de Liedekerke'

'The Conference between the German Troops and de Bours, de Roeck and de Liedekerke'
Plaquette
Probably by Jacques de Jonghelinck (1530-1606)
Southern Netherlands (Antwerp)
About 1580
Bronze
Museum no. A.36-1975

From a set of reliefs depicting the events of the 4-6 November 1576 when mercenaries in the Spanish service launched a full-scale attack on Antwerp. Over 2500 citizens were murdered and 100 houses burned down, including the magnificent Town Hall. In August 1577, however, the Netherlandish coalition overthrew the Spanish troops in the Citadel. They then negotiated with the German mercenaries to withdraw.

 

'Susanna and the Elders', plaquette

'Susanna and the Elders'
Plaquette
Paulus van Vianen (died 1613)
The Netherlands (Utrecht)
1612
Lead
Museum no. A.5-1913

Paulus van Vianen was a highly influential goldsmith at the court in Munich and was later employed by Rudolph II in Prague. The subject depicts Susanna, the wife of a prosperous Jew in Babylon, who was secretly desired by two elders of the community.