The Creation of the Milky Way [reverse]

1562

Matteo Pagano, called Matteo della Fede

Associated Names
Matteo Pagano, called Matteo della Fede

Sculptor, Venetian, active 1543/1562

This is a photograph of a coin or medallion. The surface features a relief depicting a human figure reclining among floral or star-like patterns, interacting with a large bird. The item appears to be made of a metallic material with a golden hue. There is an inscription around the edge of the coin. The background is plain black, contrasting the design of the coin.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4 cm (1 9/16 in.)
    gross weight: 22.82 gr (0.05 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1096.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a bas-relief portrait on a round medal of an older man with a full, curly beard and short curly hair. The man is facing to the right and is dressed in a cloak or robe. The material appears to be bronze with a warm, brownish-gold patina. The surface includes inscriptions around the edge, partially worn and not fully legible. The detail in the man's hair and beard, along with his contemplative expression, contribute to a classical and dignified presentation.

Tommaso Rangone, 1493-1577, Physician of Ravenna [obverse]

Matteo Pagano, called Matteo della Fede

1562


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. 481, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: A IOVE ET SORORE GENITA

Wikidata ID

Q63851811

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