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Dovizia
On View In:
Gallery 340
Artist:   Giovanni della Robbia  
Title:   Dovizia  
Date:   c. 1520  
Medium:   Glazed terracotta, polychromed  
Dimensions:   (69.2 x 37.5 x 21.0 cm)  
Credit Line:   The William Hood Dunwoody Fund  
Location:   Gallery 340  

The allegorical figure carrying abundant fruits stands for Wealth (Dovizia in Italian). It is derived from the famous sculpture by Donatello, which used to tower over the market square in Florence. Whereas the large-scale market figure advertised the agricultural products for sale, and at the same time celebrated the ideal of public prosperity through trade, this colourful small-scale version embodies the ideal of a happy family life. Della Robbia added an infant playing tag with its pet dog to the model in order to suggest domestic happiness. The inscription turns a verse from the Psalms of David into a blessing: GLORIA ET DOVITI[A]E IN DOMO TVA ("Honour and Wealth [shall be] in Your Home").

Artist/Creator(s)     
Name:   della Robbia, Giovanni  
Role:   Maker  
Nationality:   Italian  
Life Dates:   Italian, 1469-1529/1530  
 

Object Description  
  
Inscriptions:   Inscription Gloria et Divitie in Domo Tua (May honor and wealth be within thy house)  
Classification:   Ceramics  
Physical Description:   Terracotta, Italian XVIc cat. card dims H 27 x L 8 x W 12'; Figure carries on her head a basket filled with fruit and in her hand a brimming cornucopia. Little boy at her feet turns to her for protection from a barking dog. Blue gown with golden yellow decoration; yellow, green and violet fruit.  
Creation Place:   Europe, Italy, , , Florence  
Accession #:   15.211  
Owner:   The Minneapolis Institute of Arts  

 


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