Neptune Seated on a Dolphin [reverse]

1519

Giovanni Maria Pomedelli

Associated Names
Giovanni Maria Pomedelli

Artist, Veronese, 1478/1479 - 1537

The sculpture is on a circular medallion featuring a figure that appears to be a mythological being. The figure is muscular and sits on a large fish or sea monster, holding a trident in one hand and a wreath or circular object in the other. The material appears to be bronze with a dark brownish patina. The sculpture is intricate, with well-defined details such as scales on the sea creature and musculature on the figure, giving it a realistic appearance despite its small size.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.56 cm (2 3/16 in.)
    gross weight: 93.01 gr (0.205 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.768.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a round, flat medallion with a profile relief of a man with shoulder-length hair facing left. The material appears metallic with a bronze-like patina. The medallion includes an inscription that reads "STEPHANVS MAGNVS DOMINI ANDREAE FILIVS." The figure wears a textured garment with detailed patterns. The medallion is detailed with a bold profile of the subject against a smooth surface.

Stefano di Andrea Magno, c. 1500-1572 [obverse]

Giovanni Maria Pomedelli

1519


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Aimé Charles) Horace His de la Salle [1795-1878], Paris; (his estate sale, Sotheby's, London, 22-25 November 1880, 1st day, no. 85); 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. 199, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: MARIA POMEDELVS VERONENSIS F[ecit]; center left: MDXIX; lower center artist's device: [Apple and monogram ZVAN flanked by graver and punch]

Wikidata ID

Q63847641

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