Michelangelo di Guglielmino Tanaglia, 1437-1512 [obverse]

c. 1505

Style of Niccolò Fiorentino

Associated Names
Anonymous Artist

Artist

Niccolò Fiorentino

Related Artist, Florentine, 1430 - 1514

The sculpture is in the form of a coin or medallion featuring the profile of a man with short hair and a slightly pronounced nose. Surrounding the profile image, there is text along the edge of the round surface. The sculpture appears to be made of a bronze or similar metal, as indicated by its rich brown and earthy tones, with areas of darker patina enhancing its aged appearance. The format of the sculpture suggests a small, handheld size for the object.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.61 cm (1 13/16 in.)
    gross weight: 43.21 gr (0.095 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.889.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a round medallion featuring a profile of a person facing left. The subject appears to be wearing a broad-brimmed hat and has long flowing hair. They are holding a large pipe or staff over their shoulder with one hand, while the other hand seems to be holding onto a scroll or ribbon that has an inscription. The sculpture is made of a brown metallic material with a slightly textured surface. The detail work in the facial features and hair suggests a level of intricacy in its crafting.

Youth Wearing an Animal's Skin [reverse]

Anonymous Artist

1505

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. 295.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 332, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: MICHELANGELVS D[omi]NI G[ulielmini] DE TANAGLI

Wikidata ID

Q63851079

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