As the marble is weathered, this sculpture was probably once placed on the outside of a building, forming the central element of a larger group. The sculptor, Ambrogio di Mazolis (active 1524-36) may be the same 'Ambrogio' who was paid in May 1524 for work on the Scuola di San Rocco, one of the main religious confraternities in Venice. The sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Jesus as a child, sculpted out of marble and inscribed with the sculptor's name and date (1536).

The inscription on the front of the base reads: M.D.?AMBRS TAIAPREDA DI MAZOLIS/ XXXVI. The word 'Taiapreda' is a Venetian dialect form of the Italian 'Tagliapietra', meaning stone-cutter. The sculptor may be identical with one bearing the same first name who received payment in May 1524 for work on the Scuola di Dan Rocco, one of the main religious confraternities in Venice. The statue may have formed the centre of a more extensive group, and the gaze of both Virgin and Child was probably directed towards figures of donors who wuld have commissioned and paid for the work. The marble is weathered and was probably situated on the outside of a building, perhaps in a lunette above a doorway.

Gallery location:
Sculpture 1300-1600, Room 27, case FS

This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.

Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London