Guido Pepoli, 1449-1505, Noble of Bologna [obverse]

c. 1485/1486

Sperandio

Associated Names
Sperandio

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

The image shows a circular medallion with a detailed profile relief of a man's bust. The subject's features include a slightly elongated nose and styled hair covered partially by a cap. The man is dressed in period clothing suggesting a formal or noble appearance. The medallion is in a metallic material with a patinated silver and grey color. Text is inscribed along the border of the medallion, and there is a small hole at the top for possible display purposes.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Late cast

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 8.48 cm (3 5/16 in.)
    gross weight: 193.96 gr (0.428 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.722.a

Associated Artworks

The image displays a relief sculpture on a circular medal or medallion with two human figures sitting opposite each other. The left figure points upwards with its right hand while the other figure gestures forward. Both are partially draped and appear to interact with an object between them. The sculpture is metallic in color, suggesting it is made of bronze or a similar alloy. An inscription encircles the edge, with the word "OPVS SPERANDI" visible at the bottom. A small hole is drilled at the top, potentially for use as a pendant. The craftsmanship shows detailed rendering in a three-dimensional relief against a flatter background.

King Evilmerodach and a Philosopher [reverse]

Sperandio

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

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. 129 (Appendix).

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 102, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: GVIDO PEPVLVS BONONIENSIS COMES

Wikidata ID

Q63847830

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