Giuliano Particini [obverse]

1492

Style of Niccolò Fiorentino

Associated Names
Anonymous Artist

Artist

Niccolò Fiorentino

Related Artist, Florentine, 1430 - 1514

The sculpture is a medallion featuring a relief portrait of a man in profile, facing left. The subject has long curly hair that falls to his neck and wears a garment with a pleated collar. The material of the medallion appears to be a dark metal, possibly bronze or a similar alloy, with some areas showing slight wear or patina. Around the edge of the medallion, there is an inscription in raised letters which seems to be the name of the subject. The overall appearance of the medallion, with its detailed relief work and classical style, resembles an ancient coin or commemorative piece, providing a static representation of the individual depicted.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Not a contemporary cast

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.3 cm (2 1/2 in.)
    gross weight: 114.14 gr (0.252 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.869.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture on the coin depicts a figure of a woman in a flowing dress, standing with her head tilted back, and hands raised. The material of the sculpture appears to be metal, with a greenish patina and patches of brown corrosion. The sculpture is a relief, with the figure standing out against the flat background of the coin. Surrounding the image of the woman are engraved letters. The woman's hair appears long and flowing, adding to the sense of movement on the metallic surface. This sculpture is part of the coin's design, reflecting the artistry of the minting process.

Hope Gazing at the Sun [reverse]

Anonymous Artist

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. 275 (Appendix).

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 312, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: GIVLIANO PARTICINI MCCCCLXXXXII

Wikidata ID

Q63847885

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