Pietro Machiavelli, 1460/1461-1519 [obverse]

c. 1480/1485

Style of Niccolò Fiorentino

Associated Names
Niccolò Fiorentino

Related Artist, Florentine, 1430 - 1514

The sculpture is a medallion featuring the side profile of a person with long, wavy hair facing left in relief. The material appears to be a golden-brown metal with a slightly aged look and a smooth, minimally textured surface. An inscription in raised lettering is around the edge of the medallion. The craftsmanship creates a detailed and prominent depiction against a simple, circular backdrop.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 7.27 cm (2 7/8 in.)
    gross weight: 180.97 gr (0.399 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.863.a

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of a round, engraved object. The object is a circular medallion or coin made from a metallic material, depicting an eagle, intertwined serpents or snakes, and a shield with a cross-like emblem engraved on it. The eagle's wings are partially outstretched, and it is clutching the snakes in its talons. The surface of the object has a textured appearance, indicating age or wear, with tarnish and patina visible, suggesting it may be made of a bronze or similar metal. The design suggests symbolism, possibly related to heraldry or iconography, indicating the object may have historical or cultural significance. The background is a plain dark color, emphasizing the details of the engraving.

Eagle Displayed and Shield of Arms [reverse]

Anonymous Artist

1480


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. 269.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 306, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: PETRVS DE MACHIAVELIIS ZA[nobi] FI[lius]

Wikidata ID

Q63847872

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