Filippo Maria Visconti Riding in a Mountainous Landscape [reverse]

c. 1441

Pisanello

Associated Names
Pisanello

Artist, Veronese, c. 1395 - 1455

The sculpture is a round relief medallion depicting two mounted knights, each riding a horse. The knights are clad in armor and holding spears. In the background, there are architectural elements and a dragon-like creature above the knights. The material appears to be bronze or a similar metal. The scene is detailed, with texture suggesting movement. The edge of the medallion features an inscription.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 10.26 cm (4 1/16 in.)
    gross weight: 424.69 gr (0.936 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.595.b

Associated Artworks

The relief medal features a portrait of a man in profile wearing a detailed garment and a hat with ornate folds. The man has a serious expression and distinct facial features. An inscription in capital letters encircles the edge of the medal. The sculpture appears to be made of a metallic material with a bronze or copper hue.

Filippo Maria Visconti, 1392-1447, Duke of Milan 1412 [obverse]

Pisanello

1441


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Aimé Charles) Horace His de la Salle [1795-1878], Paris; (his estate sale, Sotheby's, London, 22-25 November 1880, 1st day, no. 25); Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his heirs; purchased with the entire Dreyfus collection 9 July 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 31 January 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[1] gift 1957 to NGA.
[1] The Duveen Brothers Records document the firm’s sixteen year pursuit and eventual acquisition of the Dreyfus collection, which included paintings, sculptures, small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes. Bequeathed as part of his estate to Dreyfus’ widow and five children (a son and four daughters), who had differing opinions about its disposition, the collection was not sold until after his widow’s death in April 1929. Duveen did not wish to separate Dreyfus’ collection of small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes, and it was sold intact to the Kress Foundation for a price that was met by installment payments every three months. (Duveen Brothers Records, accession number 960015, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles: reel 301, box 446, folders 3 and 4; reel 302, box 447, folders 1-6; reel 303, box 448, folders 1 and 2; reel 330, box 475, folder 4.) See also George Francis Hill’s discussion "A Note on Pedigrees" in his catalogue, The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals, Oxford, 1931: xii, which was commissioned by Duveen Brothers.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1981

  • Glorious Horsemen: Equestrian Art in Europe 1500-1800, Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, Massachusetts; The J.B. Speed Museum of Art, Louisville, 1981-1982, no. 46.

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 2, repro.

Inscriptions

around bottom circumference: OPVS PISANI PICTORIS

Wikidata ID

Q63815132

You may be interested in

Loading Results