Figure Carrying a Cornucopiae [reverse]

1552 or after

Pier Paolo Galeotti

Associated Names
Pier Paolo Galeotti

Artist, Florentine, c. 1520 - 1584

The sculpture is a coin-like object with detailed relief work. The subject of the sculpture is a classical figure wearing a draped garment and holding an object resembling a long horn or staff. The figure is among natural motifs including trees and vegetation, with stars in the background. The piece is made of metallic material with a brownish hue, possibly aged bronze or copper. It has a decorative border and a small hole near the top, suggesting it may have been hung or attached to something. The figure and details are raised above the surface, providing texture and depth.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.58 cm (2 3/16 in.)
    gross weight: 54.51 gr (0.12 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.944.b

Associated Artworks

This sculpture depicts a male figure in profile, with a neatly trimmed beard and short hair, wearing an ornate garment with a high collar and vertical stripes. The sculpture has a bronze hue and features an inscription around the edge of the circular medallion. There is a small hole at the top of the medallion. The surface of the sculpture is textured.

Franco Lercari [obverse]

Pier Paolo Galeotti

1552


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. 401, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference: HVNC REGVNT OMNIAQ[ue] DOMANT

Wikidata ID

Q63851889

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