Allegorical Scene [obverse]

Master I.S.A.

Associated Names
Master I.S.A.

Artist, Italian, active first half 16th century

The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring a relief depiction of a male figure holding a snake in one hand as he looks back over his shoulder. He is partially draped and appears muscular. In the background, there is a tree and an urn with extended, wing-like handles. The sculpture is made of a brown material with a textured surface, likely bronze or a similar metal. The word "VIRTUS" is inscribed at the bottom of the medallion. There is a hole at the top of the piece, possibly for suspension. The design captures a detailed scene within the small round space, reminiscent of historical emblems or medals.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Medium red-brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.35 cm (2 1/8 in.)
    gross weight: 77.23 gr (0.17 lb.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.352.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a round, bronze medallion with two figures. On the right, a seated winged figure holds a quill pen and a circular object in her left hand. Opposite her is a smaller winged figure holding a leafy branch. In the background, there is a tall, slender tree. The medallion has a weathered appearance and the figures are in relief. A small circular hole at the top suggests it could be hung.

Allegorical Scene [reverse]

Master I.S.A.

1470

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. vol. II, 228.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 226.

2002

  • Pfisterer, Ulrich. Donatello und die Entdeckung der Stile 1430-1445. Munich, 2002: 165 fig. 34 and n.151.

2013

  • Leino, Marika. Fashion, Devotion and Contemplation: The Status and Functions of Italian Renaissance Plaquettes. Oxford, 2013: 128, fig. 78.

Inscriptions

in exergue: [flower] VIRTVS.

Wikidata ID

Q63815015

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