The Battle of Cannae [obverse]

c. 1503

Master of Coriolanus

Associated Names
Master of Coriolanus

Artist, Italian, active c. 1500

The image shows a circular medallion or relief sculpture depicting a historical battle scene. The central subject is a group of armored warriors engaged in combat, with several horses and riders in motion surrounded by foot soldiers clashing in battle. The background features a fortified city with detailed walls and towers. Inscriptions reading "CONSALVI AGIDARTI VICTORIA" and "DE GALLIS AD CANNAS" appear at the top and bottom of the sculpture. Crafted from bronze, the sculpture has a metallic gold-brown color. The figures are prominently displayed in high relief, showing intricate details on armor and muscular forms of humans and horses. The scene conveys a dynamic and action-filled depiction of a battlefield.

Media Options

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//Yellowish patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.35 cm (2 1/8 in.)
    gross weight: 46.19 gr (0.102 lb.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.273.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a round, coin-like medallion with a central emblem or coat of arms and two human figures on each side. The emblem includes a shield with symbols and patterns, a crowned bird's head, and a text inscription in Latin. The figures are depicted in a classical style, standing with a leg extended and arms outstretched towards the center emblem, holding draped cloths. The sculpture is golden in color with a textured and slightly worn appearance. It appears to be made from a material like bronze or a gold-colored alloy and has detailed carvings.

Shield Supported by Hercules and Janus [reverse]

Master of Coriolanus

1503

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

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection. Reliefs and Plaquettes. Oxford, 1931: 118, no. 149, pl. 50, fig. 149.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 93.

1987

  • Lewis, Douglas. "The Medallic Oeuvre of 'Moderno': His Development at Mantua in the Circle of 'Antico.'" Studies in the History of Art 21 (1987):83-86, 89, 95, repro.

1989

  • Lewis, Douglas. "The Plaquettes of 'Moderno' and His Followers." Studies in the History of Art 22 (1989): 124, repro.

2013

  • Leino, Marika. Fashion, Devotion and Contemplation: The Status and Functions of Italian Renaissance Plaquettes. Oxford, 2013: 40, 41 fig. 17, 220.

Inscriptions

upper center in sky: CONSALVI / AGIDARI [for "Agilari"] / VICTORIA (The victory of Gonzalo de Aguilar...); in exergue: DE GALLIS / AD CANNAS (...over the French at Cannae)

Wikidata ID

Q63815043

You may be interested in

Loading Results