Constancy with Turkish Captives [reverse]

1481

Andrea Guacialoti

Associated Names
Andrea Guacialoti

Artist, Florentine, 1435 - 1495

The sculpture depicted on the medallion features a figure. The figure is a classical representation of a female subject, possibly a deity or mythological character, standing upright. The subject holds a long staff or rod in one hand and the other hand appears to be holding a piece of draped cloth. The sculpture is rendered in a brown bronze material, emphasizing the intricate details and texture of the figure and the surrounding elements. Surrounding the central figure are ships and small figures or designs. The surface features inscriptions encircling the border, with the words "SIXTIE POTES" and "CONSTANTIA" being visible. The image captures a historical artistic style associated with a medallion or coin format, as a form of antique or historical artifact.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.1 cm (2 3/8 in.)
    gross weight: 78.56 gr (0.173 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.803.b

Associated Artworks

The image shows a circular medallion sculpture with a profile portrait of a male figure in ecclesiastical attire. The figure is wearing a papal tiara with intricate designs. The figure's profile faces left, with finely sculpted details on the face. The medallion is made of a bronze-like material, giving it a brownish hue with aged patina. There is a partially visible inscription in Latin with the name "SIXTVS IIII" referencing Pope Sixtus IV. The sculpture seems small, with a hole near the top, possibly designed for suspension or wearing.

Sixtus IV (Francesco della Rovere, 1414-1484), Pope 1471 [obverse]

Andrea Guacialoti

1481


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Charles Armand Signol [d. 1875], Paris; (his estate sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 1-3 April 1878, 3rd day, no. 181); 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. 239, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: PARCERE SVBIECTIS ET DEBELLARE SVPERBOS; across center: SIXTE POTES; across bottom: CONSTANTIA; across top in field: MCCCCLXXXI

Wikidata ID

Q63847336

You may be interested in

Loading Results