Inscription [reverse]

17th century

Italian 17th Century

Associated Names
The image shows a circular bronze or brass-colored medal or coin with the text "EUCLIDES" engraved on its textured surface. The medal has a beaded edge framing the circular shape, and the raised letters suggest they are stamped or impressed into the material. The dark metal gives the object a historical or antique appearance, indicating age and usage. The coin is seen from directly above against a black background, displaying its flat, round form with the inscription and pattern clearly visible.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.43 cm (2 1/8 in.)
    gross weight: 61.7 gr (0.136 lb.)
    axis: 1:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1117.b

Associated Artworks

The image shows a profile of a bearded male figure on a coin-like sculpture. The figure has long, wavy hair and a closely cropped beard. The sculpture is made of a metallic material, with a dark brown base and lighter highlights suggesting aged metal, possibly bronze or silver. The edges of the coin have a raised dotted pattern, adding texture. The surface has a weathered look, indicating age or intentional design.

Euclid [obverse]

Italian 17th Century

1600


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. 595, repro.

Inscriptions

across center: EUCLIDES

Wikidata ID

Q63851264

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