Footed Dish Depicting Abraham and Isaac

c. 1545–63

Footed Dish Depicting Abraham and Isaac, c. 1545–63. Circle of Ludovico and Angelo Picchi. Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica); diameter: 7 x 27.3 cm (2 3/4 x 10 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Philip R. Mather 1945.125 During the Renaissance, scenes from the Christian Bible were prominently featured on maiolica, covering the surface in a style called istoriato (decorated with stories). This plate depicts a scene an Old Testament narrative in which Abraham believes that God wants him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Before he can carry out the deed, God sends a ram to sacrifice instead. The shape of this dish imitates the fluted, curving shape of sixteenth-century metalwork.