Apollo and Coins of Augustus [reverse]

1603

Philippe Lalyame

Associated Names
Philippe Lalyame

Artist, French, 1579 - after 1622

The image shows a circular metal medallion featuring a raised sculptural image at its center. The central subject is a nude male figure in a contrapposto pose, holding a lyre in one hand and drapery in the other, leaning against a tree trunk. The medallion appears to be made of bronze or a similar metal with a reddish-brown patina. Surrounding the figure are smaller circular portraits, an animal, and Latin text around the rim. The medallion has a beaded edge and the year '1608' inscribed near the bottom. The sculpture is detailed and shows classical influences.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.19 cm (2 1/16 in.)
    gross weight: 39.01 gr (0.086 lb.)
    axis: 11:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1169.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a coin featuring the profile of a bearded man with detailed facial features and hair. The coin is a bronze color, and has an intricate, engraved design of floral patterns on the figure's attire. Surrounding the profile is an inscription with the name "NICOLAVS LANGEVS LVGD" and a date "1578" at the bottom. The coin's edge is adorned with a textured border of small bumps. The figure appears dignified, with a serious expression, and the craftsmanship of the coin reflects a high level of detail and artistry.

Nicolas de Lange, 1525-1606, Jurisconsult, Antiquarian, and Numismatist [obverse]

Philippe Lalyame

1603


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. 624, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: VETERVM VOLVIT MONVMENTA VIRORVM; around bottom circumference: AN[no] 1603

Wikidata ID

Q63851876

You may be interested in

Loading Results