Sixtus V (Felice Peretti, 1521-1590), Pope 1585 [obverse]

1585/1590

Lorenzo Fragni

Associated Names
Lorenzo Fragni

Artist, Roman, 1548 - 1619

The sculpture is a round medallion depicting a profile image of a man with a long beard and wearing a cap. The subject's profile shows a full beard and a robe with visible button details on the front. The medallion is a brownish color. The surface has a weathered appearance with some spots of darker patina. Around the edges, there is an inscription that appears to be in Latin, encircling the bust. The medallion has a raised rim that frames the central profile effectively, and there is a small hole at the top.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.71 cm (1 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 31.06 gr (0.068 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.971.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is on a round, coin-like object and features a figure seated in a raised, chair-like structure. The figure appears to be a depiction of a classical female form, with an arm resting on the back of the chair and the other arm holding a staff. The object is made of a copper or bronze-like material, giving it a warm brown color with areas of darker patina and corrosion. The sculpture is finely detailed, showing contours of the body and elements of drapery with intricate design on the chair. The surrounding area bears an inscription and some raised decorative elements, which frame the central figure. The sculpture is small and delicate, maintaining a rich, aged appearance.

Securitas near an Altar [reverse]

Lorenzo Fragni

1585

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. 378.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 185, no. 37.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 435, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: SIXTVS V PONT[ifex] OPT[imus] MAX[imus]; around bottom circumference: L[aurentius] PAR[mensis]

Wikidata ID

Q63851784

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