The Pope in Audience [reverse]

probably 1482

Vittore Gambello

Associated Names
Vettor Gambello, called Camelio

Artist, Venetian, 1455/1460 - 1537

The sculpture is a circular relief medallion with multiple figures engaged in a scene. At the center, a figure is kneeling, surrounded by standing figures. Some are gesturing or attending to the central figure. The background includes architectural elements like arches and a balcony with figures observing from above. The material is metal, giving it a bronze-like appearance with a reddish-brown color. The details are intricately carved, conveying a frozen narrative. The relief captures a sense of depth and space, with figures emerging in a dynamic composition. The base is inscribed with the text "O.P. VICTORIS CAMALIO VE."

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.1 cm (2 in.)
    gross weight: 49.46 gr (0.109 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.738.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular medallion with a relief featuring a side profile of a person wearing a tall, decorated hat. The individual has an elderly face with pronounced facial features and is dressed in an ornate garment with intricate designs along the collar. The outer edge of the medallion has an inscription. The medallion appears to be made of a metallic material with a bronze or copper-like brown color. The sculpture gives an impression of a portrait commemorating a figure of importance.

Sixtus IV (Francesco della Rovere, 1414-1481), Pope 1471 [obverse]

Vettor Gambello, called Camelio

1482

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. 167, repro.

Inscriptions

lower center: OP[us] / VICTORIS / CAMELIO / VE[neti]

Wikidata ID

Q63847943

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