Marcello Capodiferro [obverse]

c. 1478

Roman 15th Century

Associated Names
Roman 15th Century

Artist

The sculpture is a round medallion featuring the embossed profile of a man wearing a cap, depicted in profile facing right. The material of the medallion is metallic, likely bronze or a similar metal, giving it a dark, aged appearance with variations of brown and black tones and some areas of lighter wear. The man's profile is sculpted with detail to emphasize his facial features, such as his nose, ear, and the folds of the cap. Surrounding the profile, there is an inscription in a classical font encircling the perimeter of the medallion. The top edge of the medallion has a small hole.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.72 cm (1 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 19.98 gr (0.044 lb.)
    axis: 5:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.828.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a circular medallion or coin featuring the figure of a lion standing in profile, facing left. The lion is prominently embossed, depicted with a detailed mane and tail. The medallion is made from a bronze or similar metallic material, exhibiting a dark patina with hints of reddish and brownish tones. Surrounding the lion are inscriptions in Latin, partially visible due to the worn edges of the medallion. The overall appearance suggests a historical artifact, with textured surfaces and a small hole near the edge.

Ox [reverse]

Roman 15th Century

1478

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. 234.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 266, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: MARCELLVS E CAPODEFERRO

Wikidata ID

Q63847768

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