Andrea Barbazza, died 1480, Legal Adviser [obverse]

1479

Sperandio

Associated Names
Sperandio

Artist, Mantuan, c. 1425/1428 - c. 1504

The circular relief sculpture depicts the profile of a man wearing a helmet and a fur-lined garment with intricate details. The man has a prominent nose and a solemn expression, facing left. The relief is monochrome, resembling weathered stone or metal. There is an inscription surrounding the figure, carved in raised letters. The sculpture is designed to resemble historical medallion portraits, capturing the likeness of a prominent figure in bas-relief form.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lead

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 11.36 cm (4 1/2 in.)
    gross weight: 594.37 gr (1.31 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.718.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture depicts a winged figure with a humanoid form standing on a base, raising its arms upwards. The figure is detailed with features resembling feathers or scales. It is displayed in a powerful pose on a round, flat, grayish material, likely stone or plaster. The sculpture has a textured surface with grooves and outlines defining the figure. Around the perimeter, there is inscribed text or symbols forming a border. The central raised section displays the figure prominently against the background.

Fame [reverse]

Sperandio

1479


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

1967

  • Hill, George Francis, and Graham Pollard. Renaissance Medals from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art. London, 1967: no. 125.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 99, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: ANDREAS BARBATIA MESANIVS EQVES ARAGONV[m] Q[ue] REGIS CONSILIARIVSIVRIS VTRIVSQ[ue]SP[LEN]DIDISSIMV[m]

Wikidata ID

Q63847819

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