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Plutei of Theodota

The Plutei of Theodota are two Lombard marble bas-reliefs from the oratory of San Michele alla Pusterla in Italy. Created in the mid-9th century during the so-called Liutprandian Renaissance, they are notable for their naturalistic style. One relief shows the Tree of Life between two griffins, while the other depicts a cross and a fountain between two peacocks. The works are currently preserved in the Civic Museums of Pavia. They are named after Theodota, a Byzantine noblewoman who became the lover of King Cunibert and was later sent to a convent.

Plutei of Theodota carved stone relief with winged lion-like creatures flanking a central plant motif and surrounded by ornate decorative borders.
The Plutei of Theodota, a carved stone relief with paired winged creatures and elaborate floral borders.
© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
The Plutei of Theodota stone relief with two winged beasts facing a central foliage motif and a patterned border.
Plutei of Theodota, a carved stone relief with winged beasts and a central foliate design.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Plutei of Theodota stone relief with two stylized birds facing a chalice topped by a cross
The Plutei of Theodota, showing two stylized birds flanking a chalice topped with a cross, framed by ornate border patterns.
September 2003 © · CC BY 2.5
The Plutei of Theodota shown as two carved panels, one with griffin-like creatures around a tree and the other with peacocks flanking a chalice.
The Plutei of Theodota, with one panel showing griffins around a tree and another showing peacocks around a chalice.
© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Plutei of Theodota with two carved relief panels showing winged lions, birds, a central tree, and a chalice with a cross.
The Plutei of Theodota, showing two ornate carved relief panels with symbolic animals and vegetal motifs.
© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Identification

TitlePlutei of Theodota
TypeTwo decorated marble bas-reliefs (plutei)
Subject matterHistoriated
Original titleI plutei di Teodote

Historical context

CultureLombard
DateFirst half of the 8th century
Historical periodLiutprandine Renaissance

Creator

InventorJustas Stasiulis

Discovery and provenance

ProvenanceFrom the oratory of San Michele alla Pusterla, in the monastery of Santa Maria Teodote (also given as Santa Maria alla Pusterla)
EponymNamed after Theodota, a Byzantine noblewoman
Associated historical figureTheodota, a Byzantine noblewoman and the lover of King Cunibert (688–700)
Later placement of TheodotaCunibert later placed her in the monastery called Santa Maria Teodote or Santa Maria alla Pusterla
Later site noteThe oratory of San Michele was later built near the monastery of Santa Maria Teodote, if that identification is correct
Related siteSanta Maria Teodote, now the Diocesan Seminary for Pavia

Physical characteristics

Formal characterPurely two-dimensional, graphic relief detached from the background through incisive linework
Number of reliefsTwo
Relief styleSymbolic, energetic reduction of images
DecorationNaturalistic motifs

Materials

MaterialMarble

Appearance

Relief 1 subjectThe Tree of Life between two griffins
Relief 2 subjectA cross and a fountain between two peacocks
Panel 1 motifThe tree of life between a ketos and peacocks
Panel 2 motifPeacocks drinking from a fountain surmounted by a cross

Style

StyleNaturalistic
StyleLombard sculpture

Location and ownership

Original locationOratory of San Michele alla Pusterla, Italy
Current locationCivic Museums of Pavia (Musei civici di Pavia)

Significance

Art historical significanceOne of the highest testimonies of Lombard sculpture during the Liutprandine Renaissance