Truth Unveiling Herself [reverse]

after 1550

Pastorino de' Pastorini, called Pastorino da Siena

Associated Names
Pastorino de' Pastorini, called Pastorino da Siena

Artist, Florentine, c. 1508 - 1592

The sculpture is a relief carving on a circular medallion featuring a female figure seated and holding a fabric or cloak above her body. The figure sits with bent legs and the fabric creates swirling lines around her. The sculpture is in a warm, earthy color palette, suggesting it is made of bronze. The female figure is depicted in three-dimensional relief against a textured background. An inscription, including the word "VERITAS," runs along the perimeter and bottom of the medallion. The relief is detailed and the material gives a sense of depth and dimension against the circular form.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Later cast

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.47 cm (1 3/8 in.)
    gross weight: 19.31 gr (0.043 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.915.b

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of an ancient coin. The coin features a profile of a figure with detailed facial features, adorned with a headpiece or crown and what appear to be earrings. The surface of the coin shows considerable aging, with a patina giving it a mix of golden and dark tones. The edges of the coin are inscribed with text, which is in the style of ancient Roman or Greek lettering. The artistry on the coin is intricate.

Cornelia Siciliana [obverse]

Pastorino de' Pastorini, called Pastorino da Siena

1550


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

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 367, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference: INTER ONNES [sic]; across bottom: VERITAS

Wikidata ID

Q63851848

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