Vulcan Forging the Arms of Aeneas

early 16th century

Paduan 16th Century

Associated Names
The sculpture is a round, medallion-like piece with several figures in relief. At the center stands a winged figure holding a shield adorned with a floral motif, flanked by other human forms. To the left is a nude male holding branches, while on the right is a figure shown crafting with a hammer raised over an anvil. In the foreground, two horses are grazing. The sculpture is made of a bronze-like material with a warm, golden-brown hue that highlights the intricate detailing of the characters. There is a small hole at the top, suggesting it may have been intended for suspension or display.

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16


Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Very light brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.8 cm (2 11/16 in.) gross weight: 62 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.388


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, 264.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 329.

1981

  • Cannata, Pietro. "L'Eneide nelle placchette." In Fagiolo, Marcello, ed. Virgilio nell'arte e nella cultura Europea. Exh. cat. Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Rome, 1981: 239, no. 7.

2011

  • Rossi, Francesco. La collezione Mario Scaglia: placchette. 3 vols. Bergamo, 2011: 1:118, under Prototipo, M.13.

Wikidata ID

Q63814804

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