Lodovico Maria Sforza, called il Moro, 1452-1508, 7th Duke of Milan 1494-1500 [obverse]

c. 1488

Attributed to Caradosso Foppa

Associated Names
Caradosso Foppa

Artist, Milanese, c. 1452 - 1526/1527

The image shows a round, flat medallion with a profile portrait of a man looking to the right. The man is wearing a period garment with an ornate design at the front. The sculpture seems to be made of bronze or a similar metal, as indicated by its brownish color. Around the portrait, there is an inscription in capital letters, possibly in Latin. The edges of the medallion have small dot-like designs for decoration. The surface of the medallion appears slightly worn, hinting at its age or historical importance.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.08 cm (1 5/8 in.)
    gross weight: 21.78 gr (0.048 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.784.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a bronze medallion with a scene featuring several figures and architectural structures in the background. The central subject shows a group of people approaching an enthroned figure on a platform. The platform is inscribed with "P. DE CREG," and the text "OMNIBO CONSILIO SINE ARMIS RESTIT" surrounds the scene. The medallion is brownish bronze with lighter patina on raised elements. Figures and elements are in relief against a smoother background.

Gian Galeazzo Sforza, Duke of Milan, Receiving the Genoese Led by Lodovico [reverse]

Caradosso Foppa

1488

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. 191.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 216, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: LVDOVICVS MA[ria] SF[ortia] VI[ce]CO[mes] DVX BARI DVC[atus] GVBER[nator]

Wikidata ID

Q63847488

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