Truth Escaping from a Book [reverse]

c. 1510

Mea

Associated Names
Mea

Artist, Mantuan, active c. 1510 - 1520

The image shows a medallion or coin with a sculpted relief featuring a human figure. The figure is nude, in motion, and appears to be leaping over a rectangular block while holding an object in one hand. Next to the figure, there is a stylized object. The sculpture is cast in metal and has a brownish hue, possibly bronze. The Latin words "VERITATIS INTERPRES" are engraved around the edge of the medallion.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.91 cm (1 15/16 in.)
    gross weight: 37.43 gr (0.083 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.679.b

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of a bronze coin or medallion with a side profile relief. The coin features a person wearing a traditional hat, intricate clothing designs, and a circular inscription. The surface shows signs of aging and patination, showcasing high craftsmanship.

Francesco Bonatti, Mantuan Lawyer [obverse]

Mea

1510


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. 129, repro.

Inscriptions

around left: VERITATIS; around right: INTERPRES

Wikidata ID

Q63847718

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