Maria of Aragon, after 1503-1568, Wife of Alfonso II d'Avalos [obverse]

16th century

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The sculpture is a carved image on a coin, depicting the profile of a person wearing historical attire with distinctive hairstyles. The sculpture appears to be made of metal, possibly bronze, and shows signs of wear and patina, suggesting it is aged. The subject's profile shows a well-defined nose and a visible ear, with the hair styled elaborately. This sculpture is presented on a circular coin, crafted with attention to historical detail. The coin displays a profile view implying it likely commemorates an important historical figure or event.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (oval): 4.24 cm (1 11/16 in.)
    gross weight: 44.54 gr (0.098 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1078.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a round bronze sculpture with a relief depicting several human figures in various poses. The figures seem to be in a seated position and engaged in a scene together, with some of them appearing to be looking at each other, while others are standing. The color of the sculpture is a warm, brownish-bronze hue, with lighter highlights on the elevated parts of the relief. The material of the sculpture is bronze, giving it a metallic sheen, and the texture appears rough and textured upon closer inspection. The figures are depicted in a realistic style, hinting at detailed anatomical features and clothing or armor elements typical of classical representations. The sculpture, as a relief, provides a sense of depth while maintaining its two-dimensional form.

The Forge of Vulcan [reverse]

Italian 16th Century

1500

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. 484.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 560, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63851176

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