Sigismondo d'Este, 1433-1507, Son of Niccolo III d'Este [obverse]

c. 1473

Sperandio

Associated Names
Sperandio

Artist, Mantuan, c. 1425/1428 - c. 1504

The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring the profile of a man in relief. The subject is depicted with medium-length hair and is shown in a side profile facing to the left. He is wearing clothing that resembles a suit of armor or a structured garment, with detailed textures indicating layers and decoration on the attire. The medallion is crafted from a gray material. The surface contains wear and patination, suggesting age. The edges of the medallion are inscribed with text. The overall size and design indicate that the medallion is a piece intended to be displayed as a commemorative or decorative object.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lead

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 8.69 cm (3 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 304.26 gr (0.671 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.710.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture in the image is a round relief depicting a winged figure. The figure has a humanoid form, standing upright and holding an object resembling a bow or staff in one hand, while the other hand rests on a stand or platform that supports a mask. The figure is nude and the wings are detailed. The sculpture is crafted from a metallic material, giving it a silvery-grey appearance with variations in tone due to light reflections. As a bas-relief, the details of the figure and other elements stand out against the flat circular background, giving it depth and texture. Text and symbols are inscribed around the perimeter of the circular sculpture, encircling the central figure.

Putto Holding the Symbols of Justice [reverse]

Sperandio

1473

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. 117.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 86, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: ILLVSTRISSIMVS SIGISMVNDVS ESTENSIS

Wikidata ID

Q63847802

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