Opening for Worship of the Chiesa del Gesù, Rome

1575

Giovanni Vincenzo Melone

Associated Names
Giovanni Vincenzo Melone

Medalist, Italian, active 1571 - 1589

This is a photograph of a circular medallion with a relief of an architectural structure. The medallion features a detailed relief of a classic Baroque façade with columns, pediments, and intricate details. The structure depicted is a grand building with a central entrance and multiple windows. The border has a dotted pattern and inscriptions, including the word "ROMA" at the bottom. The medallion is bronze-toned with a small hole at the top.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Lisa Unger Baskin

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.76 cm (1 7/8 in.)
    gross weight: 38.32 gr (0.084 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    2002.146.10.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a round medallion featuring a profile portrait of a man. The man is depicted with a beard and a partially bald head with detailed texturing to suggest hair and facial hair. The medallion is made of a brownish-copper material, with the color variations emphasizing the depth and texture of the sculpture. The border of the medal is decorated with small, raised circles, and an inscription encircles the portrait, reading "ALEXANDER CARD. FARN. S.R.E. VICECAN" which might identify the individual portrayed. The medallion appears finely crafted, with attention to detail in the facial features and clothing, and there's a small hole near the top edge.

Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, 1520-1589 [obverse]

Giovanni Vincenzo Melone

1575

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Purchased c. 1960/1985 by Lisa and Leonard Baskin, Leeds, Massachusetts; gift 2002 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2000

  • Toderi, Giuseppe, and Fiorenza Vannel. Le Medaglie Italiane del XVI Secolo. 3 vols. Florence, 2000: no. 2286.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 829, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: FECIT ANNO SAL.MDLXXV; in exergue: ROMAE

Wikidata ID

Q63861826

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