Venetia and Two Furies [reverse]

c. 1457

Antonio Gambello

Associated Names
Antonio Gambello

Artist, Venetian, active c. 1458 - 1481

The sculpture is of a seated figure holding a sword with a lion beside them. The figure is dressed in elaborate attire suggesting a historical or classical style. The color of the sculpture is a patinated bronze, giving it a greenish-brown appearance. The oval sculpture resembles a medallion or coin, with text around the figure including "VENETIA" and "MAGNA." There are smaller text and markings at the bottom. The sculpture appears compact, similar to a large coin, with meticulous and intricate detailing.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.71 cm (1 7/8 in.)
    gross weight: 3.957 gr (0.009 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.729.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a round medallion featuring a profile portrait of a man wearing a distinctively shaped cap. The subject appears to be of notable status. The piece is made of bronze with a brownish-green patina. The portrait is in relief on the medallion. Inscriptions in Latin surround the figure, reading "FRANCISCVS FOSCARI DVX."

Francesco Foscari, c. 1374-1457, Doge of Venice 1423 [obverse]

Antonio Gambello

1457


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. 156, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: VENETIA MAGNA; across bottom: A N

Wikidata ID

Q63847364

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