Double-headed Eagle, Charged with Shield [reverse]

1537

Hans Reinhart the Elder

Associated Names
Hans Reinhart the Elder

Artist, German, c. 1510 - 1581

The image features a round bronze or brass medallion with a sculpted coat of arms at the center. The medallion has a loop at the top. The coat of arms is divided into sections with various heraldic symbols. The surface has a metallic sheen. Intricate designs and patterns surround the coat of arms. Two stylized lions or mythical creatures are at the top, with their tails curling around the arms. The outer edge of the medallion is embossed with ornate decorations.

Media Options

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16


Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silver//With loop

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (height with suspension loop): 7.16 cm (2 13/16 in.)
    overall (diameter without loop): 6.38 cm (2 1/2 in.)
    gross weight: 58.31 gr (0.129 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1202.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a round medallion featuring a raised relief portrait of a bearded man with a distinctive profile wearing richly decorated garments. The subject appears to be holding a scepter in his right hand and is adorned in an intricately patterned, layered robe. The medallion is bronze or brass in color. Encircling the subject is a ring of finely engraved text. Relative to a viewer, the artwork is small and includes a loop at the top for potential suspension.

Charles V, 1500-1558, King of Spain 1516-1556, Holy Roman Emperor 1519 [obverse]

Hans Reinhart the Elder

1537


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. 739, repro.

Inscriptions

across center at sides of pillars: PLVS OVLTRE; around bottom circumference: HR

Wikidata ID

Q63854655

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