Portrait of a Boy, Perhaps a Member of the Carrara Family [obverse]

c. 1500

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The image shows a low relief sculpture on a circular medallion featuring the profile of a woman in a classical artistic style. She has long, flowing hair and is wearing a head covering. The sculpture appears to be made of metal, possibly bronze, with a brownish patina. The surface shows wear and signs of oxidation, and the edges emphasize its circular shape. Inscribed text is partially visible, with the letters "GAR" on the left and "DE" on the right framing the portrait.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.21 cm (1 1/4 in.)
    gross weight: 23.05 gr (0.051 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.898.a

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of an ancient coin with engraved wheels. The coin is made of metal, likely copper or bronze, and shows signs of wear and age with areas of patina and discoloration. The engraving features four wheels arranged in a line. The design includes spokes radiating from a central hub on each wheel. The artifact's texture and worn edges imply historical significance and prolonged use.

The Heraldic Carro [reverse]

Italian 16th Century

1500

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Possibly Frédéric Spitzer [1815-1890], Paris; (his estate sale, at his residence by Paul Chevallier and Charles Mannheim, Paris, 17 April-16 June 1893 [8 May], no. 1347); 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. 304.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 345, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference incised: DECAR

Wikidata ID

Q63851104

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