Italian 15th/16th Century

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Shown from the hips up, a nude woman stands between a table in front of her and a clothed man behind her, against a deep landscape in this vertical painting. The man rests one hand on her shoulder and holds up a mirror with the other. The woman’s pale skin has a pronounced golden glow. Her body faces us and she looks to our left, holding her waist-length, curly, strawberry-blond hair with her right hand by her face. Her hair on the other side is tied back with a sage-green band behind her ear. She wears a sheer white sash wrapped around her back and upper arms. A muted rose-pink, velvet sash loops over her left forearm, to our left. That hand rests on a round, squat glass bottle that sits on a leaf-green table, with her index finger covering the opening of the bottle. She wears a gold ring with a small dark stone on her left ring finger, and another gold ring rests on the table. The back corner of the table covers her genitals in the lower right corner of the painting. Behind her and to our left, a man with an olive-toned complexion and short curly brown hair, moustache, and long beard looks down his long nose at the woman as he rests his left hand, to our right, on her shoulder. He has dark eyebrows, flushed cheeks, and his pink lips are closed. He wears a cranberry-red coat embroidered along the edges with gold. White ruffles encircle his neck and the cuff we can see. Almost lost in shadow, the hilt of his sword peeks around his hip. With his right hand, to our left, he holds up a dark rectangular object in a wood-colored frame. The reflections of his fingertips in the glass indicate that this is a mirror, but the surface is otherwise black. A dense, forest-green tree grows in the landscape behind the woman. The view over the man’s shoulder, to our left, has sea-green hills beneath a watery blue sky with cream-white clouds.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Allegory of Love, c. 1520/1540, oil on canvas, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1939.1.259

Allegory of Love

Italian 15th/16th Century · c. 1520/1540 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1939.1.259

The image shows an engraving of a person on a round, worn surface. The person is depicted from the waist up, sitting in a frontal position with indistinct facial features and long hair flowing from under a headgear or crown. The clothing covers the shoulders and arms, with the figure holding an object. The round surface has a raised edge, displaying signs of aging like scratches and discoloration. The background is dark, emphasizing the central figure.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Half Figure of a Saint with Chalice and Book (Possibly Saint John the Evangelist), late 15th/early 16th century, nielloed silver, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.115

Half Figure of a Saint with Chalice and Book (Possibly Saint John the Evangelist)

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th century · nielloed silver ·  Accession ID  1961.9.115

The sculpture portrays a relief of a lamb with folded legs and a curled horn. Behind the lamb is a flag with a cross on a pole, all encircled by a round frame. The sculpture is made of a metallic material with a silver/pewter color, showing a weathered texture with tarnishing and signs of wear. The background has a textured pattern contrasting with the smoother depiction of the lamb and flag. The design is somewhat flat, with the subjects in low relief, making it more decorative than three-dimensional.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), late 15th/early 16th century, nielloed silver, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.131

Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th century · nielloed silver ·  Accession ID  1961.9.131

The image shows an engraved depiction of a person on a round, metallic object with a worn surface. The person is seen from the waist up in a frontal position, with distinct features like large eyes, a small mouth, and short hair with a circular headdress. They wear a robe with a large collar, and hold a cross and a book. The background is textured, with patches of oxidation and a dark, corroded metal surface.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Monastic Saint with Cross and Book, late 15th/early 16th century, nielloed silver, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.137

Monastic Saint with Cross and Book

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th century · nielloed silver ·  Accession ID  1961.9.137

This is a photograph of an ancient artifact with an engraved circular design. The artifact is a round disc with a raised rim, made from a darkened metal with patches of green corrosion. The design includes a bearded figure with detailed line work suggesting clothing, a halo or circular detail around the head, a staff or rod, and a hand gesture. The disc's surface shows scratches and wear.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Saint John the Baptist, late 15th/early 16th century, nielloed silver, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.117

Saint John the Baptist

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th century · nielloed silver ·  Accession ID  1961.9.117

The sculpture depicts a figure in a robe with a halo around its head. The figure is holding up a hand with two fingers raised. The sculpture is circular and made of a dark metal material. Details are engraved into the metal, giving the figure an outlined appearance. Surrounding the figure is a sun with radiating lines and a building structure to the side.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Saint Bernardino of Siena, late 15th/early 16th century, nielloed silver, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.111

Saint Bernardino of Siena

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th century · nielloed silver ·  Accession ID  1961.9.111

The sculpture features a circular medallion with a relief of a figure with a halo around their head. The figure is shown in robes, holding a palm or leafy branch in one hand, and a scroll or document in the other. The sculpture is made out of a dark, metallic material that gives it an antique appearance. There are hints of wear and age visible on the surface. The detail work is evident in the lines and folds of the robes and the distinct features of the face. The overall weathered texture suggests exposure to the elements or age. The color palette is monochromatic, primarily dark gray and black. The recessed relief style creates a historic and solemn visual impact.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Saint Dorothy (?), late 15th/early 16th century, nielloed silver, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.119

Saint Dorothy (?)

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th century · nielloed silver ·  Accession ID  1961.9.119

This is an image of an engraved coin or medallion. It has a circular metallic form with an engraving of a robed figure wearing a crown and holding a staff topped with a cross. The detailing on the figure's attire and the cross show fine craftsmanship. The metal appears aged with signs of wear. The rim of the coin or medallion is prominent, framing the engraved image effectively.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Possibly Saint Francis of Assisi, late 15th/early 16th century, nielloed silver, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.113

Possibly Saint Francis of Assisi

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th century · nielloed silver ·  Accession ID  1961.9.113

The sculpture depicts a crown with intricate detailing, circular insets showcasing various scenes or figures, stylized floral ornaments, and small statuette figures. The crown is primarily golden in color with blue-green patina spots. It has a textured surface with fine engraved details and symmetrical patterns along the arch. The projections of the crown are ornate and some include blue gemstones.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Votive Crown with Angel Gabriel, Madonna and Child with Miracle of the Snow, and Virgin Annunciate, late 15th/early 16th Century, Gilded copper with turquoise-blue inserts, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.174.a-c

Votive Crown with Angel Gabriel, Madonna and Child with Miracle of the Snow, and Virgin Annunciate

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th Century · Gilded copper with turquoise-blue inserts ·  Accession ID  1961.9.174.a-c

This is a photograph of a circular medallion or coin. The medallion features a raised relief depicting a robed figure with a halo holding a flower. The relief is set against a textured, diagonal crosshatch background. Surrounding the central figure are inscriptions that appear to form a name or title, including the letters "SA" and "LBERTVS." The item has a worn and weathered appearance, with a greenish patina along its rim.
Italian 15th/16th Century, Saint Albert of Trapani, late 15th/early 16th century, nielloed silver, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1961.9.135

Saint Albert of Trapani

Italian 15th/16th Century · late 15th/early 16th century · nielloed silver ·  Accession ID  1961.9.135