{"product_id":"unlisted-french-18k-putto-catholic-medal","title":"French 18K Putto Catholic Medal","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eSistine Madonna\u003c\/i\u003e, also called the \u003ci\u003eMadonna di San Sisto\u003c\/i\u003e, is an oil painting by the Italian artist Raphael.  The painting was commissioned in 1512 by Pope Julius II for the church of San Sisto, Piancenza, and probably executed \u003ci\u003ec.\u003c\/i\u003e 1513–1514. It was purchased in 1754 by Augstus III of Poland and relocated to Dresden. During WWII, the Red Army took possession, exhibiting it from 1946-1955, when the Russians returned it to Germany. In 2012, the Dresden gallery celebrated its 500th anniversary!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-1\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003eIn the painting the Madonna, holding\u003cspan\u003e the Christ Child\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand flanked by\u003cspan\u003e Saint Sixtus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e Saint Barbara, \u003c\/span\u003estands on clouds before dozens of obscured\u003cspan\u003e putti\u003c\/span\u003e, while two distinctive winged putti rest on their elbows beneath her. \u003cspan\u003eA prominent element within the painting, the winged angels beneath Mary are famous in their own right. The angels of this nature are known as putti and are commonly conflated with cherubim.  Heavily marketed, they have been featured in stamps, postcards, T-shirts, socks, and wrapping paper\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.6667px;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e These putti have inspired legends of their own. According to a 1912 article in \u003ci\u003eFra Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e, when Raphael was painting the \u003ci\u003eMadonna\u003c\/i\u003e the children of his model would come in to watch. Struck by their posture as they did, the story goes, he added them to the painting exactly as he saw them.\u003csup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-Dodge1912_42-0\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe image of the putti was copied by artists all over the world, and sometimes has only one figure depicted (a Putto), as in this darling religious medal. Traditionally, Catholics give medals on noted rites of passage such as baptism, confirmation, marriage and death. This piece is most likely a baptism gift. Wonderful hanging from a chain on your neck, added to a charm bracelet, or pinned to your lapel with a gold safety pin!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails (approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: 5\/8\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 1.6 gram\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: 18K yellow gold\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarks: French hallmarks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Excellent\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"\"Putto\"","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42955686838366,"sku":"MM 06-29-26","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5465\/4046\/files\/IMG_8496.jpg?v=1782756178","url":"https:\/\/thekovencourt.com\/products\/unlisted-french-18k-putto-catholic-medal","provider":"The Koven Court","version":"1.0","type":"link"}