Cincinnatus at the Plough

late 16th century

Flemish 16th Century

Associated Names
Flemish 16th Century

Sculptor

The sculpture is a relief depicting two human figures and an ox in a pastoral scene. The figure on the left is holding a rope or tool that is connected to the ox, while the figure on the right seems to be guiding the scene with an outstretched arm. The central subject, the ox, is shown in a side profile, its large body made prominent in the composition. The sculpture is crafted from bronze, evident from its dark brownish color with patches of greenish patina that indicate aging and oxidation typical of bronze material. The relief panel has a textured background, suggesting a rural or outdoor setting, and a sense of movement with the positioning of the figures and the ox.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Medium brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 3.2 x 6.2 cm (1 1/4 x 2 7/16 in.) gross weight: 36 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.445

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, 311.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 422.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 163, no. 25.

Wikidata ID

Q63814848

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