The Three Sons with their Father's Corpse

late 15th - early 16th century

Italian 15th or 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 15th Century

Sculptor

Italian 16th Century

Sculptor

The sculpture is a detailed relief depicting several human figures and a horse. To the left, a figure leans against a tree, appearing to be bound. In the center, two standing figures are in conversation or interaction with a third seated figure who is on horseback. To the right, another figure is seated on the ground in a pose suggesting they are looking upward. The scene is set under a starry sky with a crescent moon visible. The sculpture is made of a material resembling bronze, giving it a metallic, slightly weathered appearance with a warm brown hue. The figures are intricately carved, showing the drape of their clothing and their postures in a classical style. The overall impression is of a classical or mythological scene captured in a single moment.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Yellow-brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 2.3 x 2.7 cm (7/8 x 1 1/16 in.) gross weight: 8 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.214

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, 90.

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: 145, as Martyrdom of Saint Francis, Italian 15th Century.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 380.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 115, no. 11.

Wikidata ID

Q63814757

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