Dish with the story of "Shooting at Father's Corpse"

CultureItalian

OriginCafaggiolo, Tuscany, Italy

PeriodItalian Renaissance

Dateca.1535-1550

MediumTin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)

DimensionsOverall: 6.6 x 28.7 cm (2 5/8 x 11 5/16 in.)

Markings"P" crossed

DescriptionThis dish represents an episode from a moralising tale particularly popular in the late medieval period but still part of the Renaissance imaginary, known as “Shooting at Father’s Corpse.” According to the story, following the death of a king, the question of who should succeed him arose and a judge was sought. The judge told the three sons to fetch their father’s body, tie it to a tree, and to shoot arrows at him; the son who pierced the heart most accurately should be the heir. The eldest sons each shot at the body, while the youngest refused. In turn, the judge named him the true heir.

Credit LineGift of George and Helen Gardiner

Object numberG83.1.322

Classifications

European Ceramics

Sub-classification

Italian Earthenware - Maiolica

Collections

Status

On view