Nicolas de Bailleul, 1587-1652, Mayor of Paris 1622-1628 [obverse]

1623

French 17th Century

Associated Names
French 17th Century

Artist

The sculpture is a relief carving on a medallion featuring the side profile of a man with elaborate, wavy hair and a full beard. He is dressed in period attire, characterized by a high-collared cloak with detailed folds and stitching. The material appears to be bronze, judging by its rich coloration and metallic sheen. The medallion is circular with an inscribed border that includes the name "AMICO DE BAILLEUL" among other text, with the year "1643" at the bottom. The sculpture is relatively small in relation to us, designed to be held or displayed like a medal or coin, showcasing intricate details and craftsmanship.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.27 cm (2 1/16 in.)
    gross weight: 38.9 gr (0.086 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1172.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture depicted on the medallion is of a reclining figure against draped cloth or natural elements like rocks and trees. The figure is in a relaxed pose, with one arm behind its head and the other resting atop its knee. Surrounding the figure are elements that resemble flowing water and foliage. The sculpture is on a round, metallic medallion with a coloration of bronze or copper. The medallion features detailed craftsmanship, showing the contours and textures intricately. The edge of the medallion is decorated with a beaded border, and there is an inscription along the top half of the circle.

Nymph of the Seine [reverse]

French 17th Century

1623

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. 577.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 213, no. 27.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 665, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: NICO[lao] DE BAILLEVL PROPRAET[ore] VRB[is]ET PRAEF[ecto] AEDIL[ium] CVRANTE; around bottom circumference: 1623

Wikidata ID

Q63851323

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