Details

Title

The Treasure of the Temple at Jerusalem Brought by Nebuchadnezzar to the House of God

Artist/Maker

Master of Marradi (Italian, late 15th C.)

Date

ca. 1490

Medium

Tempera on panel

Dimensions

24 5/8 x 16 1/4 inches

Credit

Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation

Accession #

58.47

Location

Currently not on view

The Master of Marradi was a Florentine painter active during the late fifteenth century. With the revival of classical culture and the increasing secularization of Florentine society at the time, the themes and gods of Greek and Roman mythology became acceptable subjects for painting and sculpture. Here a golden statue of Apollo stands on a column above the altar of a Renaissance temple, the frieze of which bears the inscription “APOLLI SACRUM” (Dedicated to Apollo). Because both were symbolized by light, Apollo was one of the figures of the past who was interpreted as a forerunner of Christ.

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