Pietro Bembo, 1470-1547, Cardinal 1538 [obverse]

probably 1532

Valerio Belli

Associated Names
Valerio Belli

Artist, Italian, 1468 - 1546

The sculpture is a profile relief of a human face, displaying a man with long, straight, slightly wavy hair falling to the neck. The subject has a prominent nose, a defined chin, and a calm expression. The sculpture is made of bronze, with a dark brown color and subtle highlights where the light strikes. The face is encased in a round, coin-like medallion. The surrounding inscription reads "PETRI BEMBI," potentially indicating the subject's identity. The style of the sculpture is reminiscent of classical or Renaissance medallions.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.45 cm (1 3/8 in.)
    gross weight: 14.52 gr (0.032 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.979.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a relief depicting a figure reclining under a tree by the water's edge. The subject is a person lying on a mound with an arm extended and resting against the branches of a nearby tree. The sculpture is circular and rendered in a bronze color, likely made from metal. The scene includes detailed engraving of the human form, tree branches, and flowing water beneath, all unified by the earthy bronze tone. The relief's depiction appears flat but intricately detailed, with natural elements like trees and water surrounding the human figure.

Bembo beside a Stream [reverse]

Valerio Belli

1532

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

1967

  • Hill, George Francis, and Graham Pollard. Renaissance Medals from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art. London, 1967: no. 386.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 100, no. 14.

2004

  • Donati, Valentino and Rosanna Casadio. Bronzi e pietre dure nelle incisione di Valerio Belli vicentino. Ferrara, 2004: 23, no. 5, repro.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 441, repro.

Inscriptions

around left circumference: PETRI BEMBI

Wikidata ID

Q63851926

You may be interested in

Loading Results