Maso di Bartolomeo: conceptual packaging, of a very special belt
Perhaps today, with no “operating instructions”, it wouldn’t be that easy to grasp the rich conceptual pattern of the Capsella della Sacra Cintola, by Maso di Batolomeo (1448, circa). However, once this latter is understood, it becomes clear that this artwork can be compared to those of artists who, in every epoch, have investigated the relationship between form, language, information and idea.
The reliquary intended to contain the Sacra Cintola, that is to say Mary’s relics which, so it’s recounted, tied the cloth of the Virgin, then raised to Heaven (the Assumption). The object’s name and shape is of a small case: “capsella”, capsule in Latin, a kind of jewelry box where, at that time, were placed ornaments of the feminine costume, such as the belt. However, since the Virgin, besides being a woman, was also a mother, the patron decided to call it Vasculum (“Vas”, little vase or vasello as he had it engraved inside the lid), a term that reminds to the idea of Mary as “vase of God”. At this point the meanings, like the game of Chinese boxes, increase: “vase” is indeed the womb that bore Christ, but “vase” is also Mary who embraces the devoted with her mercy, whereas the little vase (the object of Maso di Bartolomeo) ties (that is, contains) the belt that in turn wrapped the Virgin to her earthly life. These interactions suggested by this little object culminate in the close similarity between the shape of the case and the architecture of the typical antique temples.
If you are eager to admire this masterpiece you will find it on show at “Le printemps de la Renaissance. La sculpture et les arts à Florence, 1400-1460”, Paris, Musée du Louvre, from September, 26th until January, 6th 2014. To find out more about the cultural environment that “gave birth” to the Capsella visit “Da Donatello a Lippi. Officina pratese”, Prato, Palazzo Pretorio, until January 13th, 2014.
Maso di Bartolomeo (Capannole Valdambra 1406-Ragusa di Dalmazia 1456), Capsella della Sacra Cintola, 1446-1448, golden copper, ivory, wood, cm 14,5 x 20,2 x 13,5. Prato, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, inv. AGJ 1777. Credit: Fototeca Ufficio Beni Culturali Diocesi di Prato
July 15, 2015
