Eternity [obverse]

1541

Andrea Spinelli

Associated Names
Andrea Spinelli

Sculptor, Venetian, 1508 - 1572

The image shows a round, gold-colored coin or medallion with a sculpted depiction of a standing woman dressed in flowing garments. The woman is holding a globe or orb with a bird perched on top. The surface of the coin has a slightly aged patina, with some greenish spots near the top. Surrounding the central figure, the word "SEMPITERNITAS" is inscribed along the edge of the coin, with each letter separated by decorative dots.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.6 cm (1 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 24.51 gr (0.054 lb.)
    axis: 5:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1112.a

Associated Artworks

This is an image of a medallion or coin with an intricate design. The medallion shows a seated figure with wings on top of a globe marked with stars. The figure holds a trumpet in each hand, crossed before them. It features the year "1841" at the top and faint text below the figure, partly legible as "IMO RITAS." The medallion has a beaded rim design and a three-dimensional quality due to relief. The material appears bronzed, giving it an aged look.

Fame Seated on the Celestial Globe [reverse]

Andrea Spinelli

1541


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. 416a.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 130, no. 10.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 475, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63851070

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