Peace and Prosperity

Valerio Belli

Associated Names
Valerio Belli

Artist, Italian, 1468 - 1546

The sculpture depicts a scene engraved on a circular medal or medallion. The front shows two figures in a seated and standing position, respectively. The seated figure appears to be leaning back casually on a piece of furniture, draped in a flowing garment with rounded forms around the chest. The standing figure is positioned beside the seated figure, gesturing forward with a hand holding a branch or floral motif. Both figures are adorned with floral wreaths around their heads. The background features vertical elements and a wheel on the right side. The material of the sculpture is metal, giving it a metallic gray-silver appearance with a slight patina that enhances the texture and depth of the relief work. The entire composition is delicately framed with a raised border at the edge of the medallion. A small hole at the top suggests the piece was designed to be hung or worn.

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16


Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lead

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) gross weight: 20 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.506


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

1886

  • Molinier, Émile. Les Bronzes de la Renaissance. Les Plaquettes; Catalogue Raisonné. 2 vols. Paris, 1886:, 1:206, no. 293.

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection. Reliefs and Plaquettes. Oxford, 1931. vol. II, 252, no. 372, pl. 107.

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. 24, fig. 364.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 115, no. 14.

2004

  • Donati, Valentino and Rosanna Casadio. Bronzi e pietre dure nelle incisione di Valerio Belli vicentino. Ferrara, 2004: 143 no. 149, repro.

Inscriptions

center right on shield: VALERIVS

Wikidata ID

Q63815279

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