Hercules and Three Columns in the Sea [reverse]

1472

Lodovico Corradini

Associated Names
Lodovico Coradino

Artist, Ferrarese, active c. 1472/1478

The sculpture is a round medallion with a central figure of Hercules, a muscular male figure standing in a proud posture. He holds a staff in one hand and appears to be interacting with a shield. Behind him are three ancient columns rising from a choppy sea. The sculpture is made of a metallic material with a dark bronze or copper tone, showing signs of patina. Inscriptions such as "GADES HERCULIS" and "OPVS CORADINI" are visible around the edge. The sculpture is filled with detail within its compact circular form, creating a visual narrative related to Hercules.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Twice-pierced, with loop

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter, with suspension loop): 5.95 cm (2 5/16 in.)
    overall (diameter, without loop): 5.6 cm (2 3/16 in.)
    gross weight: 72.44 gr (0.16 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.630.b

Associated Artworks

The image features a round medallion depicting a profile view of a man's head and partial upper body. The man faces left in the profile, showing the left side of his face with detailed facial features, including a prominent nose and serious expression. He has medium-length wavy hair and wears a headpiece resembling a hat. The man is clad in a garment with intricate designs around the collar area but no visible jewelry. The background is plain, accentuating the man's profile, the detailed garment, and the raised lettering on the medallion.

Ercole I d'Este, 1431-1505, Duke of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio 1471 [obverse]

Lodovico Coradino

1472

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

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 58, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference: GADES HERCVLIS; around bottom circumference: OPVS CORADINI M[utinensis]

Wikidata ID

Q63847664

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