Homer [obverse]

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 features a profile portrait of a bearded figure with intricate detail. The person depicted is facing to the right, with curly hair and a detailed beard. Around the edge of the coin are engraved letters. The coin has an aged appearance, with a patina that suggests it is made of bronze or a similar metal. The detail in the cloth draped over the figure's shoulder is emphasized, showcasing the intricacy of ancient coin craftsmanship. The edge of the coin is decorated with a pattern of dots.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Stuck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.5 cm (1 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.992.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a round medallion sculpture with intricate carvings depicting various figures. In the upper half, there are three seated and standing figures. On the left side, a figure is seated on a chair holding a lyre. In the center, a figure clad in armor with a helmet is depicted holding a spear, with an owl at their feet. Another figure is seated on the right, holding a staff and an orb. In the lower half, there are additional figures, including a person reclining next to a deer, and a figure next to a lion-like head. The sculpture is made of a bronze or gold-colored metal, giving it a polished appearance. The circular composition is framed by a beaded edge.

Allegory of War and Peace [reverse]

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

1967

  • Hill, George Francis, and Graham Pollard. Renaissance Medals from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art. London, 1967: no. 399.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 104, no. 31.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 455, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference in Greek:

Wikidata ID

Q63851627

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