Self-Portrait [obverse]

1458

Giovanni Boldù

Associated Names
Giovanni Boldù

Artist, Venetian, active c. 1454 - before 1477

The sculpture is in the shape of a coin or medallion with a profile of a person in relief facing left. The figure appears to be a male wearing a hat with a pointy crown. The attire has intricate textures, suggesting layers or decorative design. The sculpture is metallic with a grayish tone, giving it an aged appearance. Around the figure are inscriptions or symbols circling the edge, possibly uncial letters or ancient glyphs. There is a small hole at the top of the medallion for mounting or display.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 8.74 cm (3 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 187.55 gr (0.413 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.734.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a relief on a circular medallion featuring three human figures. The central figure is seated, while the two flanking figures are standing and interacting with the central figure. The sculpture is crafted from a darkened material, likely bronze or copper, and has intricate details on the figures and edges. There is text on the edges of the medallion and a small hole at the top. The craftsmanship suggests a historical or classical theme.

Boldù between Faith and Penitence [reverse]

Giovanni Boldù

1458

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Aimé Charles) Horace His de la Salle [1795-1878], Paris; (his estate sale, Sotheby's, London, 22-25 November 1880, 1st day, no. 32); 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

1883

  • Armand, Alfred. Les médailleurs italiens des quinzième et seizième siècles. 2nd ed. 3 vols. Paris, 1883-1887: 1:36, no. 2.

1908

  • Migeon, Gaston. "La collection de M. Gustave Dreyfus, V: Les plaquettes." Les Arts 80 (August 1908): 10, no. ii.

1930

  • Hill, George Francis. A Corpus of Italian Medals of the Renaissance before Cellini. 2 vols. London, 1930: no. 420f.

1931

  • Hill, George Francis. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals. Oxford, 1931: no. 141.

1951

  • National Gallery of Art. Renaissance Bronzes: Statuettes, Reliefs and Plaquettes, Medals and Coins from the Kress Collection. Introduction by Perry B. Cott. Washington, 1951: 170.

1967

  • Hill, George Francis, and Graham Pollard. Renaissance Medals from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art. London, 1967: no. 141.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 57, no. 17.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 161, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference:in Greek and Hebrew: Giovanni Boldu of Venice, painter

Wikidata ID

Q63847624

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