Shepherd with a Flock [reverse]

c. 1507/1514

Venetian 16th Century

Associated Names
The sculpture is a circular medallion depicting a pastoral scene. The central figure is dressed in knee-length garments and carrying a sheep on their shoulders while holding a shepherd's staff. Two other sheep are shown standing beside the figure. The scene is set beside a tree with feather-like leaves. The medallion has a reddish-brown hue, resembling metal like bronze. It features intricate detailing, a beaded border, and an inscription along the top edge, with a small hole at the bottom.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.42 cm (1 3/4 in.)
    gross weight: 30.35 gr (0.067 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.761.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a medal featuring the profile of a man in relief, facing left. The subject appears to be a portrait of a mature man. The medal is made of a copper-colored metal. Surrounding the profile is an inscribed border with the words "IO CORNELIVS MONET" and "CORCASX G COVMEN." There is a small hole at the top center of the medal. The overall craftsmanship of the medal shows detailed attention to the person's likeness and an ornate border design.

Fra Giovanni Cornaro, Benedictine Monk, Abbot of Pragiia 1507-1514 [obverse]

Venetian 16th Century

1507


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. 189, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: PIETAS EVANGELICA

Wikidata ID

Q63847936

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