The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Godfroy de Bouillon

Art Object

The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

Ellenor M. Alcorn, Associate Curator, Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses how in England, as in Europe, a rich display of silver was essential to the expression of power. Discover how English sovereigns from Elizabeth I to George III and their courtiers competed culturally on the international stage, commissioning silver and other luxury goods to establish their stature. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition British Silver: The Wealth of a Nation, on view May 15, 2012–January 20, 2013.

Recorded October 12, 2012

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Godfroy de Bouillon

Colin Nouailher (French, active 1539, d. after 1571)

Artist:: Based on a woodcut by Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen (Netherlandish, ca. 1470–1533)
Date:: ca. 1541
Culture:: French, Limoges
Medium:: Enamel, painted and partly gilded on copper
Dimensions:: Diam. 8-3/4 in. (22.3 cm)
Classification:: Enamels
Credit Line:: Purchase, John H. and Susan Gutfreund Gift, 1993
Accession Number:: 1993.65.4

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 544

Description

Based on a woodcut from the Nine Heroes, a series by Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen (before 1470, d. 1533).
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: (On the right side in the three o'clock position): C

Inscription: (Along the top edge): GODEFR / IDVS• / I / • BILLONIVS
Provenance

Baron Meyer de Rothschild ; Hannah de Rothschild ; Earls of Rosebery (until 1977) ; [ sale, Sotheby's, London , 1977 ] ; Private Collection, Lille, France ; [ Alain Moatti (until 1993; sold to MMA) ]
See also
Who
Colin Nouailher (6)

Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen (2)
What
Metal (59,364)

Gilt (9,043)

Copper (6,255)

Painting (5,225)

Enamels (3,249)

Medals (3,076)

Enamel (1,662)

Medallions (829)
Where
Europe (148,587)

France (52,276)

Limousin (306)

Limoges (290)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,545)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
France, 1400–1600 A.D.

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The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

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Colin Nouailher (French, active 1539, d. after 1571)

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The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

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Godfroy de Bouillon

Colin Nouailher (French, active 1539, d. after 1571)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store