Laura Gonzaga Trivulzio [obverse]

c. 1550

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The relief sculpture depicts a woman named Laura Gonzaga, with an inscription around the edge of the circular piece. The figure is shown in profile facing to the right, featuring detailed hair covered with a cloth, earrings, and a garment with intricate folds and patterns. The sculpture is made from a golden-brown material, possibly bronze or a similar alloy. The circular medallion has an unfinished edge with a hole for suspension, suggesting it could be worn or displayed. The image conveys dignity and nobility.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.7 cm (1 7/8 in.)
    gross weight: 36 gr (0.079 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1100.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular medallion depicting a reclining male figure with a long beard, set in a natural landscape with trees and possible ruins or architectural elements in the background. The figure is detailed, showing the textures of the beard and body contours. Above the figure are inscribed letters saying "SEMPER IDEM." The piece appears to be made of a golden-brown material, potentially bronze. There are small holes at the top and bottom of the medallion. The work has a relief sculpture style.

The River God Mincio Reclining before a Landscape [reverse]

Italian 16th Century

1550

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. 506.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 137, no. 37.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 580, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: LAVRA GONZ[aga] TRIVL[tia]

Wikidata ID

Q63851210

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