Cap of Liberty between Daggers [reverse]

after 1537

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
This is a photograph of a bronze coin with engraved symbols and text. The coin features two swords on either side of a helmet or a stylized cornucopia in the center. The symbols are enclosed by a circular border, and below them lies the text, "VIHIL D. IAN". The coin has a weathered patina with a reddish-brown hue, indicative of aging, while its surface shows signs of wear and slight corrosion marks.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.69 cm (1 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 26.47 gr (0.058 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1087.b

Associated Artworks

This coin features a profile portrait of a man with a prominent beard and curly hair. The man's facial features, including his nose, mouth, and ear, as well as the texture of his beard and hair, are shown in detail. The coin has a warm bronze color, giving it a historical appearance. There are inscriptions around the figure that likely identify him. The image is in raised relief against a flat background, emphasizing the details of the profile.

Lorenzino de' Medici, 1514-1547, Son of Pierfrancesco II [obverse]

Italian 16th Century

1537


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

Exhibition History

2004

  • Pontormo, Bronzino, and the Medici: The Transformation of the Renaissance Portrait in Florence, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2004-2005, no. 31, repro.

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 570, repro.

Inscriptions

across bottom: VIII ID[us] IAN[uarias]

Wikidata ID

Q63851672

You may be interested in

Loading Results