Don Rodrigo de Bivar Y Mendoza, died 1523 [obverse]

c. 1492

Roman 15th Century

Associated Names
Roman 15th Century

Artist

The image displays a bas-relief of a person's upper body on a round coin or medallion. The individual is depicted in profile view facing right. The face shows detailed features with a straight nose and a firm chin line. The person wears a helmet with a circular design and shoulder decoration. Their clothing includes draped fabric across the shoulders. There are no objects or jewelry in the image. The background is smooth with an inscription of letters around the outer edge of the medallion reading "MARCHO * RODERICVS DE BAVAR." The artwork carries an ancient aesthetic, focusing on detailed relief craftsmanship.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.63 cm (1 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 12.49 gr (0.028 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.827.a

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of an ancient coin. The coin features two figures, one appearing to be a classical warrior with a helmet, shield, and spear, and the other figure is draped and holding a staff. The scene displays intricate detailing. Surrounding the figures is an inscription in Latin or an ancient script. The coin has an aged, brown patina.

Mars and Venus [reverse]

Roman 15th Century

1492

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. 233.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 265, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: MARCHIO RODERICVS DE BIVAR

Wikidata ID

Q63847766

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