Figure beside a River [reverse]

1556

Pier Paolo Galeotti

Associated Names
Pier Paolo Galeotti

Artist, Florentine, c. 1520 - 1584

The sculpture on the circular object depicts a human figure extending one arm upward. The figure stands on a pedestal and is surrounded by detailed natural elements, such as sun rays at the top and possible vegetation at the bottom. The object is a flat, round disc resembling a medallion or coin. It is bronze in color and appears to be finely detailed, suggesting historical or artistic importance. The sculpture is in bas-relief style, slightly raised from the disc's background.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.56 cm (1 3/8 in.)
    gross weight: 17.24 gr (0.038 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.945.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a profile portrait of a man with a beard, facing left. His hair is styled in loose curls, and he is wearing a robe or cloak. The sculpture is a bas-relief featured on a coin or medallion made of bronze. The man's hair, facial features, and robe are intricately detailed. Engraved text surrounds the edge of the medallion.

Cristoforo Madruzzo, 1512-1587, Cardinal, Prince Bishop of Trent 1539, of Brixen 1542 [obverse]

Pier Paolo Galeotti

1556


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. 402, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63851893

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