Julius II (Giuliano della Rovere, 1443-1513), Pope 1503 [obverse]

1507

Roman 16th Century

Associated Names
Roman 16th Century

Sculptor

The sculpture features a carved profile of a man on a medallion. The man is depicted in a side profile with a serene expression, short hair, and a distinctive garment with a decorative clasp at the shoulder. The medallion has inscribed characters surrounding the profile. The material appears to be a rich brown hue, resembling bronze. The edges of the medallion show signs of wear. The close-up view highlights the facial features and inscription, and the relief work creates depth against the smooth surface.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.11 cm (1 1/4 in.)
    gross weight: 11.88 gr (0.026 lb.)
    axis: 8:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.832.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a coin with a sculpted relief design on its surface. The main subject of the sculpture is a heraldic emblem with two crossed keys beneath a papal tiara. Below the keys is an oval or shield shape with a design depicting a tree or branching motif with leaves. The border of the coin is inscribed with partially visible Latin text. The coin is made of a metallic material with an aged, bronze coloration. The design on the coin is a fine example of bas-relief work, with raised details on a slightly concave surface.

Shield with the Arms of Della Rovere [reverse]

Roman 16th Century

1507

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. 238.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 99, no. 10.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 270, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: IVLIVS CAESAR PONT[ifex] II

Wikidata ID

Q63847774

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