Troy with Galleys in Harbor [reverse]

16th century

Alessandro Cesati, called Il Grechetto

Associated Names
Alessandro Cesati, called Il Grechetto

Artist, Roman, active 1538/1564

The sculpture is a circular relief featuring a detailed scene of an ancient city on the upper section and a maritime scene with ships and boats on the lower part. It is crafted in a brownish-bronze color, highlighting the intricate details of the cityscape and ships. The design suggests a historical or commemorative theme. The viewer observes the city and seafaring activities in a visually narrative form preserved in metal.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.87 cm (1 1/2 in.)
    gross weight: 36.87 gr (0.081 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.962.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is an embossed representation of a male figure with distinctive wavy hair and a beard. The figure is shown in a side profile looking to the right and is displayed on a round, coin-like object with copper and golden hues. Engraved Greek script surrounds the circular object. The craftsmanship shows fine detail in the hair and facial features.

Priam, King of Troy [obverse]

Alessandro Cesati, called Il Grechetto

1500


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Aimé Charles) Horace His de la Salle [1795-1878], Paris; (his estate sale, Sotheby's, London, 22-25 November 1880, 2nd day, no. 164); 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. 420, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference in Greek: Troy; center on wall of citadel in Greek: Ilion

Wikidata ID

Q63850174

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