The Summits of Pindus, on Each a Flaming Vase [reverse]

1555

Attributed to Pier Paolo Galeotti

Associated Names
Pier Paolo Galeotti

Sculptor, Florentine, c. 1520 - 1584

The image shows a circular medallion with raised relief details. It features two mountain peaks with flames at the tops, and a bird flying to the left. The surface is textured to capture the contours of the mountains and volcanic elements. The inscription "NON VILI OBNOXIA VENTO" is engraved along the upper edge. The sculpture is made of metal with a golden-brown color, possibly bronze.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.91 cm (1 15/16 in.)
    gross weight: 31.62 gr (0.07 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1081.b

Associated Artworks

The image shows a detailed embossed profile of a person on a medallion or coin. The figure is depicted from the shoulders up, facing to the right in a side profile. The person has distinct facial features, including a straight nose, tightly curled hair gathered back and styled, and wears an elaborate garment with textured folds and decorative elements. They also have a detailed necklace with round beads or pearls around their neck. The background is the smooth surface of the medallion, with embossed writing around the edges. The entire piece is in varying shades of bronze with some patina effects, and the surrounding area is dark to highlight the medallion.

Barbara Borromeo, died 1572, Wife of Camillo Gonzaga 1555 [obverse]

Pier Paolo Galeotti

1555

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. 396, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference: NON VLLI OBNOXIA VENTO

Wikidata ID

Q63851414

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