Mattia Ugoni, Bishop of Famagusta 1504 [obverse]

c. 1571

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The sculpture features a profile portrait of a man on a circular medallion. The man appears to be wearing a hat and cloak and has a wise expression with details like wrinkle lines. The medallion is bronze-colored and textured. There are inscriptions in a serif typeface around the edges. The portrayal of the man is dignified with detailed facial features and attire, suggesting respect.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.84 cm (2 5/16 in.)
    gross weight: 109.23 gr (0.241 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.904.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a bronze medallion featuring a relief profile of a bearded man wearing a hat and ornately decorated clothing. The subject faces to the left. The attire shows intricate craftsmanship. The sculpture has a warm brown color typical of aged bronze with a slightly rough texture. The raised inscription "LVDOVICVS V GONIVS" surrounds the central figure, with decorative motifs framing it. The circular form and relief style give the impression of a classical or historical coin.

Ludovico Ugoni [reverse]

Italian 16th Century

1571

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. 310.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 351, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: MATHIAS VGO EP[iscopu]S PHAMAVG[ustanus]

Wikidata ID

Q63851128

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