Winged Unicorn [reverse]

c. 1474

Sperandio

Associated Names
Sperandio

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

This is a photograph of a bronze medallion. The medallion features an embossed image of a fantastical creature resembling a winged unicorn in a dynamic pose, holding an object in its mouth. Around the edge of the medallion, there are inscriptions. The surface of the medallion is textured, with some areas showing wear. It has a small hole near the edge. The overall tone is a dull bronze, with highlights and shadows accentuating the raised design. The backdrop is black.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.32 cm (2 1/8 in.)
    gross weight: 53.71 gr (0.118 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.715.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular medallion with the profile of a person's head. The subject wears a hat with laurel leaves. The material is bronze with a brownish hue and a weathered finish. Around the border are embossed letters forming text. There is a small hole at the top. The relief style gives the subject a tangible, three-dimensional presence, highlighting the details of the person’s attire and facial features.

Parupus, an Unknown Poet [obverse]

Sperandio

1474


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. 89, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: ARGVTAMQVE CHELVM DOCTE PARVPE DEDIT; across bottom: OPVS SPERINDAE; upper center in field: FATVM

Wikidata ID

Q63847814

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