Meleager and Atalante

fourth quarter 15th century

Master of the Orpheus Legend

Associated Names
Master of the Orpheus Legend

Artist, Italian, active fourth quarter 15th century

The sculpture is a circular medallion depicting a scene with four human figures and a dog. The central figure is a nude male, seated and facing slightly to the left, surrounded by three standing female figures, each wearing draped garments. One of the women is supporting the male figure, while another appears to be attending to him, and the third woman stands next to them. At the feet of the central male figure sits a small, reclining dog. The sculpture is intricately carved and features details that suggest fabric texture and human anatomy. The material of the sculpture is a brown-toned metal, possibly bronze, with a patina that gives it an aged appearance. The details are highlighted by the contrast between the raised figures and darker recessed areas, creating depth and visual interest. At the top of the medallion, there is a small circular hole, possibly for hanging. The scene is framed by a series of concentric circular ridges, adding to the overall composition of the piece.

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16


Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Dark brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.4 cm (2 1/2 in.) gross weight: 59 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.230


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1886

  • Molinier, Émile. Les Bronzes de la Renaissance. Les Plaquettes; Catalogue Raisonné. 2 vols. Paris, 1886:, 2:96, no. 521.

1908

  • Migeon, Gaston. "La collection de M. Gustave Dreyfus, V: Les plaquettes." Les Arts 80 (August 1908): 31, fig. 15.

1925

  • Bode, Wilhelm von. Bertoldo und Lorenzo dei Medici. Freiburg, 1925: 38-86: 40, repro. 43, as Bertoldo, der Tod des Meleager.

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection. Reliefs and Plaquettes. Oxford, 1931. vol. II, 76, no. 106, pl. 32.

1951

  • National Gallery of Art. Renaissance Bronzes: Statuettes, Reliefs and Plaquettes, Medals and Coins from the Kress Collection. Introduction by Perry B. Cott. Washington, 1951: 148.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Sattuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: 39-40, no. 124, fig. 83.

Wikidata ID

Q63815048

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