Dante Alighieri, Florentine Poet, 1265-1321 [obverse]

late 15th century

Florentine 15th Century

Associated Names
Florentine 15th Century

Artist

The image depicts a circular bronze medallion featuring a profile view of a man's head facing left. The man has a laurel wreath and a cloak draped over his shoulders. The embossed figure shows detailed facial features and clothing. The medallion has a dark brown color with a patina of lighter golden hues highlighting the raised surfaces. There is text inscribed in relief around the edge of the medallion. The piece appears aged and resembles historical coinage or a commemorative plaque, showcasing classical and ornate imagery.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Molded frame

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.78 cm (2 11/16 in.)
    gross weight: 112.97 gr (0.249 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.893.a

Associated Artworks

The circular sculpture features a relief of a human figure standing on the right side, observing a tower-like structure that has multiple layers and a spiral design. The human figure is portrayed in a side profile with a tilted head and is dressed in a toga or robe-like attire. The figure holds a round object in one hand. The sculpture has a reddish and brown hue, with a weathered texture. The material appears to be metal, likely bronze. The sculpture is framed by a circular border.

Dante before the Mountain of Purgatory [reverse]

Florentine 15th Century

1450

More About this Artwork

Article:  A Poem of Exile on Dante Day

A look at the writer, poet, and father of the modern Italian language.

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. 299.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 339, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: DANTHES FLORENTINVS

Wikidata ID

Q63851088

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