Phoenix on a Pyre Looking at the Sun [reverse]

c. 1485

Mantuan 15th Century (Possibly Giancristoforo Romano)

Associated Names
Mantuan 15th Century

Medalist

Giancristoforo Romano

Medalist, Mantuan, c. 1465 - 1512

The sculpture is a medallion featuring a raised relief of a phoenix emerging from flames. The phoenix has detailed plumage, a crest on its head, and spreading wings. Above the phoenix, rays of light emanate from a cloud. The medallion is made of bronze and has inscriptions around its circumference.

Media Options

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Later cast

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.15 cm (2 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 85.93 gr (0.189 lb.)
    axis: 7:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.668.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular cameo or medal depicting the profile of a woman facing left, with an inscription around the edge. The woman is intricately detailed, showcasing braided and wrapped hair and a high-necked garment adorned with lace or embroidery design. The inscription reads "DIVA IVLIA ASTALLIA", which is carved around the edge of the medal. The sculpture appears to be made of a bronzed material, as indicated by the deep brown color with areas of patina. The craftsmanship of the sculpture is delicate, conveying a sense of fineness and historical artistry commonly found in portrait medallions from the Renaissance or classical periods. The surface exhibits some signs of aging, with minor irregularities contributing to its antique appearance.

Giulia Astallia [obverse]

Mantuan 15th Century, Giancristoforo Romano

1485

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

Exhibition History

1994

  • The Currency of Fame: Portrait Medals of the Renaissance, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; The Frick Collection, New York; National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1994-1995, no. 19, repro.

2001

  • Virtue and Beauty: Leonardo's 'Ginevra de' Benci' and Renaissance Portraits of Women, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2001-2002, no. 8, color repro.

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 117, repro.

2008

  • Pfisterer, Ulrich. Lysippus und seine Freunde: Liebesgaben und Gedächtnis im Rom der Renaissance, oder, Das erste Jahrhundert der Medaille. Berlin, 2008: 32, 33 fig. 13.

Inscriptions

around circumference: EXEMPLVM VNICVM FOR[mae] ET PVD[icitiae]

Wikidata ID

Q63847686

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