Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini, 1568-1644), Pope 1623 [obverse]

1628

Gaspare Mola

Associated Names
Gaspare Mola

Medalist, Florentine, 1567/1571 - 1640

The bas-relief sculpture depicts Pope Urban VIII in profile, wearing intricate clerical vestments with floral and vine patterns. The sculpture is made of copper, giving it a reddish-brown hue with visible textures. The lettering around the upper edge reads "URBANVS VIII PONT MAX A V." The piece is small and circular, resembling a medal or commemorative coin.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Lisa and Leonard Baskin

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 20.4 gr (0.045 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1997.114.25.a

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of a circular coin or medallion with an ornate design. It features a cross at the center, surrounded by scrolling, floral-like patterns and bordered edges. There is an inscription in Latin that reads "S. PETRI BASILICA CONSEC." The surface of the coin has a textured appearance with a patina of age, showing varying shades of brown and hints of green.

Consecration of St. Peter's (Botonée Cross in Quatrefoil Design) [reverse]

Gaspare Mola

1628

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lisa and Leonard Baskin, Leeds, Massachusetts; gift 1997 to NGA.

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. 835, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: VRBANVS.VIII.PONT.MAX.A.V.; on truncation: 1628.; below truncation: GAS.MOLO.

Wikidata ID

Q63861778

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