Apollo and Vulcan

Master I.S.A.

Associated Names
Master I.S.A.

Artist, Italian, active first half 16th century

The sculpture depicts two figures engaged in distinct activities. On the left, there is a figure playing a lyre. The figure is bent slightly towards the musical instrument. To the right, another figure holds a tool, seemingly chiseling or working on a structure at a small table. Both figures have detailed facial expressions and clothing, and they are set against a backdrop that includes a stylized plant design. The sculpture is a bas-relief with a rectangular shape and is crafted from a material that resembles bronze or a similar metal with a darkened patina and highlights. The texture and color of the sculpture suggest aged and weathered metal, giving it an antique appearance. The figures appear in a naturalistic style, though simplified and captured in mid-action.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silvered bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 4.29 × 4.09 cm (1 11/16 × 1 5/8 in.)
    gross weight: 15.62 gr (0.034 lb.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.353


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, 229.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 229.

Markings

Reverse bears former inventory number 197 in red paint (Dreyfus collection).

Wikidata ID

Q63815018

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