Neptune

late 15th century

North Italian or Florentine 15th Century

Associated Names
North Italian 15th Century

Sculptor

Florentine 15th Century

Sculptor

The sculpture depicts a figure holding a trident, shown in the center standing amidst waves while riding a chariot pulled by four horses. The figure stands upright with the trident raised. The sculpture is cast in bronze, showcasing a golden-brown patina that highlights the details of the scene with reflective surfaces and varying textures. The background consists of waves, providing a dynamic setting that frames the figure and horses. The horses are sculpted with intricate features such as their manes and legs. The piece is oval-shaped with a small hole near the bottom edge.

Media Options

Skip thumbnail navigation
Back to thumbnail navigation
This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Medium brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (oval): 4.2 x 5.1 cm (1 5/8 x 2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.155

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection. Reliefs and Plaquettes. Oxford, 1931. vol.II, 31.

1951

  • Renaissance Bronzes: Statuettes, Reliefs and Plaquettes, Medals and Coins from the Kress Collection. Introduction by Perry B. Cott. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1951: 142, as Florentine 15th Century.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 354.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 55, no. 9.

Wikidata ID

Q63814726

You may be interested in

Loading Results