The Sacrifice of a Bull

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 depicts a group of figures engaged in a scene in front of a temple-like structure. There are five human figures present, with one about to strike an object on an altar or pedestal, another kneeling next to an animal, while the rest observe. The material appears to be bronze with a reddish-brown patina. The circular sculpture shows high relief figures and architectural details against a flat background.

Media Options

Skip thumbnail navigation
Back to thumbnail navigation
This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Medium brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.4 cm (2 1/2 in.) gross weight: 55 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.237

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:, 2:99, no. 528.

1908

  • Migeon, Gaston. "La collection de M. Gustave Dreyfus, V: Les plaquettes." Les Arts 80 (August 1908): 31, fig. 16.

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection. Reliefs and Plaquettes. Oxford, 1931. vol. II, 80-81, no. 113, pl. 33.

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: 149.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: 40-41, no. 129, fig. 85.

Wikidata ID

Q63815054

You may be interested in

Loading Results