Lightning Striking a Tower in the Sea [reverse]

16th century

French 16th Century

Associated Names
This is a photograph of a coin with a tower design. The coin features an embossed depiction of a tower centered within its circular form, surrounded by waves at its base and ascending flames or decorative filaments. Engraved on the outer edge of the coin are inscriptions, possibly in Latin. The coin has a metallic bronze tone.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.54 cm (1 3/8 in.)
    gross weight: 15.61 gr (0.034 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1147.b

Associated Artworks

The image shows a bas-relief profile of a bearded man on a round medal or coin. The man's head is turned to the left, displaying a bald head with textured detail near the ear, and a long, intricately carved beard. The material appears to be bronze-like metal, giving it a warm, reddish-brown tone. The surface is smooth with patina. Encircling the profile is a raised band with the inscription "OSP FRANCANCEL."

Michel de l'Hôpital, 1505/1506-1573, Chancellor of France 1560-1568 [obverse]

French 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

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 635, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: IMPAVIDVM FERIENT RVINAE

Wikidata ID

Q63851314

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