Laureate Figure Holding a Plumb Line [reverse]

1455 or after

Marco Guidizani

Associated Names
Marco Guidizani

Artist, Venetian, active 1454/1462

The sculpture is a medallion or coin-like object featuring the relief of a seated male figure. The figure, depicted in a side profile, is shown with an extended arm balancing a set of scales. The surrounding area is inscribed with text in a stylized script. The material looks like weathered metal, possibly bronze or brass, with a patina appearance varying in shades from dark gray to a lighter brown. The overall composition presents a sense of balance and classical artistry, reminiscent of ancient coins or medallions with significant cultural or historical connotations.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lead

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 8.3 cm (3 1/4 in.)
    gross weight: 322.41 gr (0.711 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.731.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a medal with a bas-relief depiction of a man wearing a tall hat and a high-collared garment. The figure's face is visible with distinct features such as the nose, ear, and high cheekbones. The sculpture is made of a greyish-silver material, possibly metal, with a slightly rough texture. An inscription is engraved around the edge of the medal, and there is a hole at the top for display or wear.

Bartolommeo Colleone of Bergamo, 1400-1475, Condottiere [obverse]

Marco Guidizani

1455


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. 159, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: IVSTIZIA AVGVSTA ET BENIGNITAS PVBLICA; center right in field: OPVS M[arci] GVIDIZANI

Wikidata ID

Q63847694

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