Neptune, Amphitrite and Cupid

Valerio Belli

Associated Names
Valerio Belli

Artist, Italian, 1468 - 1546

This is a photograph of an ancient carved relief. The relief depicts three nude human figures intricately carved in a circular format. The carving is made of a bronze or bronze-like material and displays two adult figures, one male and the other female, alongside a smaller, child-like figure. The figures are depicted with a sense of movement and interaction; the male figure holds a staff or scepter. The craftsmanship highlights the musculature and form of the figures, achieving a realistic representation despite the limitations imposed by the size of the medallion. The background is flat, directing focus to the figures.

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.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Light brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (oval): 442.5 x 378.5 cm (174 3/16 x 149 in.) gross weight: 12 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.501

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

1908

  • Migeon, Gaston. "La collection de M. Gustave Dreyfus, V: Les plaquettes." Les Arts 80 (August 1908): 28, fig. 7.

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection. Reliefs and Plaquettes. Oxford, 1931. vol. II, 250, no. 367, pl. 106.

1951

  • National Gallery of Art. Renaissance Bronzes: Statuettes, Reliefs and Plaquettes, Medals and Coins from the Kress Collection. Introduction by Perry B. Cott. Washington, 1951: 156.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: 12, no. 22, fig. 368.

2004

  • Donati, Valentino and Rosanna Casadio. Bronzi e pietre dure nelle incisione di Valerio Belli vicentino. Ferrara, 2004: 196 no. 9, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63815276

You may be interested in

Loading Results