Carlo Visconti, 1523-1565, Cardinal 1565 [obverse]

c. 1550

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The image shows a sculpted medal featuring the profile of a man identified as CAROLVS VICE COMES engraved around the edge. The man is depicted wearing ornate armor with detailed shoulder decorations, a high collar, and a chain around his neck. The sculpture appears to be made of bronze, giving it a reddish-brown color with areas of patina. The raised profile displays intricate detailing in the facial features and hair texture. The edges of the medal have a beaded border. The dimensions and details suggest it is crafted for close viewing to appreciate the artistry.

Media Options

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.98 cm (2 3/4 in.)
    gross weight: 76.73 gr (0.169 lb.)
    axis: 1:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1105.a

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of a coin. The coin features a design of a tree with winding branches in the center, surrounded by a beaded border. Below the tree, the words "COR ALIT" are inscribed. The coin has an aged patina with copper and greenish hues, indicating oxidation. The texture of the coin suggests it is made of metal with embossed and engraved details.

Stalk of Branching Coral [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

Exhibition History

1994

  • The Currency of Fame: Portrait Medals of the Renaissance, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; The Frick Collection, New York; National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1994-1995, no. 59a, repro.

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. 510.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 135, no. 28.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 583, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: CAROLVS VICE COMES

Wikidata ID

Q63851228

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