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c. 1454

Matteo de' Pasti

Associated Names
Matteo de' Pasti

Artist, Italian, c. 1420 - 1467/1468

The sculpture is a circular disk with a central square featuring small circular and dot markings. Around the edges of the disk, there is engraved text. The sculpture is made of metal with a patinated brownish surface, suggesting age or a material like bronze. The disk appears flat with visible surface texture and wear. The design is simple, focusing on outlined shapes and engraved lettering.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.15 cm (1 5/8 in.)
    gross weight: 44.3 gr (0.098 lb.)
    axis: 11:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.657.b

Associated Artworks

The relief sculpture is of a woman in profile on a circular medallion. The woman has long hair, styled or covered in a way that closely follows the contour of the head. The medallion is a warm, metallic brown color, likely made of bronze or a similar metal. Inscriptions surround the portrait on the surface of the medallion, including the name "ISOTTAE ARIMINEN." The surface of the medallion is smooth with slight wear, and the woman's facial features and hair details are highlighted against the darker background.

Isotta degli Atti, 1432/1433-1474, Mistress 1446, then Wife after 1453, of Sigismondo Malatesta [obverse]

Matteo de' Pasti

1454


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. 36, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: ELEGIAE

Wikidata ID

Q63847716

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