Bust of a Young Man in a Niche

late 15th/early 16th century

Probably Bolognese 15th/16th Century

Associated Names
Bolognese 15th Century

Artist

Bolognese 16th Century

Artist

The image depicts an engraving on a rectangular metal surface of a person's profile facing left. The engraving shows the person from the chest up, with minimal facial features and emphasis on the nose and forehead. The person's hair is styled intricately. The clothing is simple with no distinct features. The background includes a dome and columns, suggesting importance. The metal object has a decorative border and a loop at the bottom with a cord threaded through it, set against a black background.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    nielloed silver plate attached to a copper panel

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 3.7 × 2.5 × 0.4 cm (1 7/16 × 1 × 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1961.9.173.1

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of an engraved metal object. The engraved image depicts a figure wearing a dress sitting on a chair, holding a bird, surrounded by floral elements. The figure is set against a patterned background with detailed engraving that enhances the texture of the garment and the foliage. The object's borders are adorned with a simple, repeating pattern, and there are metallic rivets visible at the top. This piece features an attachment component at the bottom. The photograph captures the intricate details and craftsmanship of the engraving, highlighting the contrast between the polished metal and the darkened etched lines.

Seated Woman Facing Left, Holding a Flowering Branch

Bolognese 15th Century, Bolognese 16th Century

1475

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Trivulzio Collection, Milan, probably after 1856. [1] (Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, 1878-1955, Rome and Florence) ;[2] purchased 26 June 1935 by Samuel H. Kress (1863-1955), New York; gift 27 September 1950 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[3] gift 1961 to NGA.
[1] Laura Aldovini, _I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo,_Milan, 2021: 245.
[2] The bill of sale included sculptures, maiolicas, furniture, antique velvets, paintings, and enamels, for a total of one hundred objects. Copy in NGA curatorial files. See also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, (https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/acquisitions/ACQ143).
[3] An affidavit of 21 August 1956 by Herbert L. Spencer, executive director, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, states the Trivulzio collection of nielli and enamels were given by Samuel H. Kress to the Foundation on 27 September 1950; original in National Gallery of Art Archives. Secretary and General Counsel Records – Major Donor Files; copy in NGA curatorial files.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2021

  • Aldovini, Laura. I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo. Milan, 2021: 243, 245, no.82, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63854510

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