Coat of Arms [reverse]

1528

Christoph Weiditz the Elder

Associated Names
Christoph Weiditz the Elder

Artist, German, c. 1500 - 1559

This is a photograph of a circular, aged metallic object with embossed designs and inscriptions. The central motif appears to be a coat of arms or a symbolic crest, featuring intricate scrollwork with a figure or creature atop it. Surrounding the central design, there are words embossed into the surface, likely in Latin, which read "NOSTRA CHRISTVS", with additional text that is partially readable. The surface of the coin shows signs of wear, with a rustic patina indicating its age and historical significance. The object is photographed against a black background.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 7.06 cm (2 3/4 in.)
    gross weight: 142.73 gr (0.315 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1182.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a medallion with a profile relief of a man in ornate academic attire. The subject is depicted wearing a large, flat academic cap, and a robe with a visible collar. The material appears to be a dark metal, likely bronze or a similar alloy. The figure is shown in a side profile facing to the right, with intricate detailing in the facial features and attire providing a sense of depth despite the medallion's flat surface. The edges of the medallion bear inscriptions, which are engraved into the metal.

Ambrosius Jung, 1471-1548, City Physician of Augsburg [obverse]

Christoph Weiditz the Elder

1528


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. 689, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: IVSTICIA NOSTRA CHRISTVS M D XXVIII

Wikidata ID

Q63851432

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