She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus [reverse]

mid 16th century

Giovanni da Cavino

Associated Names
Giovanni da Cavino

Artist, Paduan, 1500 - 1570

This is a photograph of an ancient coin. The coin depicts an engraving of an animal resembling a she-wolf, nurturing two human figures beneath it. Surrounding the design is an inscription that reads "PERPETUA SOLES." The surface of the coin is worn with cracks and patina, showing its age. The craftsmanship suggests a possible Roman origin, reflecting the myth of Romulus and Remus. The intricate detailing and artwork showcase the coin's cultural and artistic significance from its period.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.76 cm (1 1/2 in.)
    gross weight: 42.23 gr (0.093 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.989.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture depicts a man in profile facing right. The figure has curly hair and appears to be wearing a toga or draped garment. The sculpture is on a circular medallion or coin, which is golden brown with some dark and light variations. The surface shows wear, with scratches and eroded areas. There is an inscription in raised letters around the edges. The style resembles ancient or classical portraits on coins, with detailed facial features in relief.

Francesco Querini, died 1563, Venetian Patrician, Poet and Soldier [obverse]

Giovanni da Cavino

1525


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. 452, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference: PERPETVA SOBOLES

Wikidata ID

Q63851617

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