Friedrich III the Wise, 1463-1525, Duke and Elector of Saxony 1486 [obverse]

1522

German 16th Century

Associated Names
The sculpture is a profile portrait of a man wearing a hat depicted in relief on a coin or medallion. The subject is a bearded individual with a prominent profile, featuring a strong nose and a textured beard. The sculpture is crafted in a metallic material, likely silver or a silver-colored alloy, as indicated by its grayish sheen. The edges of the coin feature engraved text. The sculpture is small and detailed, designed to be viewed up close, similar to examining a coin.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silver//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.29 cm (1 11/16 in.)
    gross weight: 25.96 gr (0.057 lb.)
    axis:3:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1214.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a depiction of a coin with intricate designs and inscriptions. It features a central cross motif with the letters "C," "N," "D," and "S" positioned around it, as well as decorative elements. The outer rim of the coin contains an inscription that reads "VERBUM DOMINI MANET IN AETERNUM." The coin has a metallic color, indicating it may be made of a material such as silver. It appears as a round object with detailed engravings and a slightly worn or aged texture.

Cross within a Circle [reverse]

German 16th Century

1522


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. 618.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 753, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: FR[i]D[ericus] DVX SAXON[ie] S[acri] RO[mani] IMP[erii] ELECT[or]

Wikidata ID

Q63854325

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