Jesus Christ [obverse]

c. 1500

Roman 16th Century

Associated Names
Roman 16th Century

Artist

The sculpture is a relief medallion featuring the profile of a man with long hair and a beard, depicted in a side view facing left. The figure's hair and beard are textured. Engraved letters frame the image along the edge of the medallion. The bronze piece has a dark brown patina. The round sculpture is small, roughly the size of one's palm, and includes a hole near the top. The detailed craftsmanship focuses on lifelike representation, making the figure appear somewhat realistic and prominent against the flat circular surface.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter, including remnants of suspension loop at 12:00 ): 9.22 cm (3 5/8 in.)
    gross weight: 188.16 gr (0.415 lb.)
    axis: 1:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.837.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a round medallion with an inscription on its surface. The subject of the sculpture is the written text, which is etched into the surface of the medallion in a formal, capitalized font. The material appears to be metal with a dark, aged bronze color, and the surface shows signs of wear and patina. The medallion itself is simple in shape, with the raised text being the focal point. It includes a border with a rope-like design, and at the bottom, there is a small, carved bow shape. There is a small hole at the top. The medallion's dimensions and texture indicate it could be a personal or decorative item, possibly viewed at close range to appreciate the details of the inscription and craftsmanship.

Inscription in a Wreath [reverse]

Roman 16th Century

1500

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. 243.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 100, no. 13.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 272, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: IHS XPC SALVATOR MVNDI

Wikidata ID

Q63847785

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