Louis XI, 1423-1483, King of France 1461 [obverse]

c. 1460/1466

Francesco Laurana

Associated Names
Francesco Laurana

Artist, Dalmatian, 1420/1425 - 1502

The sculpture is a bas-relief on a circular medallion featuring the profile of a male figure wearing a tall, textured hat and a formal garment with visible buttons. The subject faces right with a distinguished and noble look. The piece is made of a dark, metallic brown material, resembling patinated bronze. The surrounding surface has engraved text circling the medallion, indicating its commemorative or identifying aspects. The relief has a textured and weathered appearance, typical of traditional coin or medallion portraits, standing out against the flat background. The medallion is handheld comfortably.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lead//Decayed

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 8.56 cm (3 3/8 in.)
    gross weight: 224.55 gr (0.495 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.619.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a round, coin-like sculpture with an engraved figure as the central subject. The figure is seated, draped in robes, and holding a branch in one hand. The sculpture is made of a metallic material, likely bronze or a similar metal, giving it a dark, muted gray color. Around the edge of the coin, there is an inscription that reads "CONCORDIA AVGVSTA," which frames the figure. The depiction focuses on the robes and the gesture of holding the branch, connecting the figure to an ancient or classical aesthetic.

Concordia Holding a Lily Scepter and an Olive Branch

Francesco Laurana

1460

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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

Bibliography

1967

  • Hill, George Francis, and Graham Pollard. Renaissance Medals from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art. London, 1967: no. 27.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 46, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: DIVVS LODOVICVS REX FRANCORVM

Wikidata ID

Q63847590

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