Male Figure Holding an Hourglass [reverse]

1467

Andrea Guacialoti

Associated Names
Andrea Guacialoti

Artist, Florentine, 1435 - 1495

The sculpture depicts a nude male figure standing in a contrapposto pose, with one arm extended holding a rectangular object. The figure stands on a small pedestal within a circular format resembling a medallion or coin. The sculpture is made of bronze, highlighting the figure's muscular form through shadows and highlights. Inscriptions in large capitalized text surround the circular sculpture. The design balances art and text in a historical or commemorative style.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.39 cm (2 1/2 in.)
    gross weight: 88.48 gr (0.195 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.801.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a medallion featuring a profile portrait of a man with prominent facial features and a receding hairline. The man is depicted in a side view, with a strong nose, pronounced chin, and detailed ear engraving. This medallion is crafted from bronze, giving it a rich, brownish color with a warm metallic sheen. The surface displays a subtle texture. Around the profile, there is a border with an inscription in a classical font. The sculpture is a round medallion about the size of a large coin, focusing on the representation of the man in a solemn pose in a historical style.

Niccolò Palmieri, 1401-1467, Bishop of Orte 1455-1467 [obverse]

Andrea Guacialoti

1467


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. 236, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference incised: CONTVBERNALIS B[enemerito] F[ecit]; around bottom circumference: ANDREAS GVACIALOTVS; across center incised: VIX[it] AN[nis] LXV / OBIIT A D M CCCCLXVII

Wikidata ID

Q63847330

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