A Dancing Faun

1507

Master A.L.

Associated Names
Master A.L.

Artist, Italian, active c. 1507

The sculpture depicts a nude male figure engaged in an athletic pose, holding a disk by his shoulder with one hand. The subject has curly hair and is slightly bent at the knees, poised as if to throw the disk. This figure is intricately carved onto a circular metallic surface that appears to be made of a patinated bronze material, giving it a predominantly dark brown appearance with patches of lighter wear that reveal a metallic sheen. The sculpture is a relief, meaning the figure is raised from the background surface. The textured surface and detailed anatomy reflect a realistic approach, whereas the compact size fits into the round shape.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Dark brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 8.7 cm (3 7/16 in.) gross weight: 208 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.457


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, 323.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 293.

Inscriptions

center reverse: 1507 / AL

Wikidata ID

Q63815012

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