Hercules Helping Atlas to Bear the Globe [reverse]

1629

Jean Warin

Associated Names
Jean Warin

Medalist, Flemish, 1607 - 1672

The relief features two male figures carrying a large globe on their shoulders. The figures are depicted as muscular and strong with one holding the globe with both hands and the other supporting it with one hand while reaching behind their back. Below the figures is a small lion. The sculpture is crafted in a round medallion format with an inscription along the upper edge. It appears to be made of bronze, which gives it a warm brown color highlighting the intricate details of the figures and the globe. The sculpture is slightly elevated, creating a sense of depth and making the figures appear three-dimensional.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.57 cm (2 9/16 in.)
    gross weight: 117.07 gr (0.258 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1164.b

Associated Artworks

The relief on a circular medal depicts the profile view of a man with an elaborate hairstyle and beard associated with historical figures. The man has curly and voluminous hair, neatly styled facial hair, and is dressed in noble attire with intricate patterns, a ruffled collar, all on a bronze medal. The medal features a Latin inscription around the edge and emphasizes the fine details of the man's features and clothing with the raised relief sculpture.

Antoine Coëffier, called Antoine Ruzé, 1581-1632, Baron Longjumeau 1621 and Marquess of Effiat 1624 [obverse]

Jean Warin

1629


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: 2:no. 660, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: QVIDQVID EST IVSSVM LEVE EST; across bottom engraved: 1629

Wikidata ID

Q63851750

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