Alfonso as Infant Hercules [reverse]

1477

Ferrarese 15th Century

Associated Names
The sculpture is a round, bronze-colored relief featuring a figure of a child-like human reclining within a circular boundary. The figure has one arm raised, holding three looped ribbons. The child is integrated into the circle, creating a cohesive depiction. The material gives it a metallic, aged appearance. Around the border is an intricate pattern, resembling an inscription or decorative motif. The sculpture has a slight patina.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.65 cm (2 5/8 in.)
    gross weight: 85.78 gr (0.189 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.633.b

Associated Artworks

The image shows a circular medal with a central relief profile portrait of a young child facing to the left. The child has short, curly hair and delicate facial features. The figure is dressed in a garment with patterned details. The medal appears to be made of bronze, with areas of darker patination highlighting the details. An inscription in capital letters, "ARCHIO ALFONSVS ESTENSIS," surrounds the perimeter of the medal. The image captures the craftsmanship and classical style of this sculptural medal.

Alfonso I d'Este, 1476-1534 [obverse]

Ferrarese 15th Century

1477


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his heirs; purchased with the entire Dreyfus collection 9 July 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 31 January 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[1] gift 1957 to NGA.
[1] The Duveen Brothers Records document the firm’s sixteen year pursuit and eventual acquisition of the Dreyfus collection, which included paintings, sculptures, small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes. Bequeathed as part of his estate to Dreyfus’ widow and five children (a son and four daughters), who had differing opinions about its disposition, the collection was not sold until after his widow’s death in April 1929. Duveen did not wish to separate Dreyfus’ collection of small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes, and it was sold intact to the Kress Foundation for a price that was met by installment payments every three months. (Duveen Brothers Records, accession number 960015, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles: reel 301, box 446, folders 3 and 4; reel 302, box 447, folders 1-6; reel 303, box 448, folders 1 and 2; reel 330, box 475, folder 4.) See also George Francis Hill’s discussion "A Note on Pedigrees" in his catalogue, The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals, Oxford, 1931: xii, which was commissioned by Duveen Brothers.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 63, repro.

2008

  • Pfisterer, Ulrich. Lysippus und seine Freunde: Liebesgaben und Gedächtnis im Rom der Renaissance, oder, Das erste Jahrhundert der Medaille. Berlin, 2008: 61, 62 fig. 21, as The Young Alfonso d'Este as Serpent-strangler, by Cosmè Tura (?).

Inscriptions

lower center on cradle: MCCCCLXXVII

Wikidata ID

Q63847528

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