Andrea Della Valle, 1463-1534, Patron and Collector, Cardinal 1517 [obverse]

16th century

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The sculpture is a relief portrait of a man. It is a side profile of a man's head and shoulders with short, curled hair and a notable garment that suggests a cloak or robe. The material of the sculpture appears to be bronze or a similar metal, giving it a rich, brownish-gold color with variations due to light and aging texture. The man's features are intricately sculpted, emphasizing his profile with a prominent nose and a fixed gaze. There is text etched into the surface surrounding the image, and the edge of the medallion is adorned with a series of small, round dot-like decorations. The overall look of the sculpture is that of a historical piece, suggesting a commemorative or honoring purpose.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.95 cm (1 9/16 in.)
    gross weight: 27.92 gr (0.062 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1101.a

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of an ancient coin. The coin displays intricate designs and inscriptions. The relief features a figure standing beside a structure on the left and a pedestal or altar on the right. The figure is dressed in classical or ancient attire, pointing upwards with one hand raised and resting the other on the pedestal. The structure on the left has a frontal face at the top and what appears to be a door below it. The border of the coin is decorated with a beaded pattern, and there are Latin inscriptions around the edge, including words like "PORTA," "FIDES," "PUBLICA," and "CONSECRATIO." The coin has a rich patina, indicating its age and historical significance.

Faith Pointing to Heaven [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. 507.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 566, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: ANDREAS CAR[dinalis] DE VALLE AR[chipresbyter ?] ANNO IVBILEI

Wikidata ID

Q63851214

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