The Three Sons with their Father's Corpse

late 15th - early 16th century

North Italian 15th or 16th Century

The sculpture depicts multiple human figures in a classical scene. On the left, an elderly figure stands near a structure resembling an altar or table, reaching towards it with a staff. Next to him, three individuals, two male and one possibly female, move towards a seated figure. Behind the seated figure stands a shield-bearing warrior. The kneeling figure closest to the seated individual gestures in supplication. The figures interact in a dynamic composition. The material appears to be bronze with a rich brown patina. The relief is detailed, with the figures in high relief against a textured background suggesting trees and natural elements. The edges are framed with a decorative border.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Dark brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (irregular): 4.3 x 8.2 cm (1 11/16 x 3 1/4 in.) gross weight: 54 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.413


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, 289.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 350.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 94, no. 18.

Wikidata ID

Q63814826

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