An Allegory of Faith: Lions Devouring a Nude Youth [obverse]

Attributed to Master IO.F.F.

Associated Names
Master IO.F.F.

Sculptor, Bolognese, active 1468/1484

The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring a relief of a human figure surrounded by two lions. The lions have realistic details, with their manes and features clearly etched into the surface. The human figure is portrayed nude and contorting, with one arm raised and the other arm and legs engaged with the lions. The medallion is gold in color, with inscribed text decorating its perimeter. It features a circular motif and a scroll with Latin text at the top.

Media Options

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Yellow-brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6 cm (2 3/8 in.)
    gross weight: 57.7 gr (0.127 lb.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.446.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular medal with intricate relief work depicting various figures. The subjects include humanoid figures and creatures with animalistic features, such as horses and serpents, interacting in dynamic poses. The central part of the medal features a monogram enclosed within a laurel wreath, with the letters "VVV" prominently displayed. The sculpture is made from a material that gives it a warm, golden-brown color, suggesting it could be bronze or a similar alloy. The detailing on the surface presents a three-dimensional effect due to the raised and recessed areas that create a textured appearance. The sculpture is palm-sized, resembling a large coin or medallion.

Frieze of Tritons and Nereids [reverse]

Master IO.F.F.

1404

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, 312.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 112.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 97, no. 1.

1998

  • Bekker, Gerd. Europäische Plaketten und Medaillen vom 15. bis zum 18. Jahrhundert. Leipzig, 1998: 51.

Inscriptions

upper center on scroll: AM/ANDO IO ("As I love"); around circumference: ET.SI.CORPVS.NON.FIDES.MACVLABITVR [followed by a leafy branch] (though the body may be defiled, [my] faith shall not)[1]

Wikidata ID

Q63814943

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