Giangaleazzo Maria Sforza, 1469-1494, 6th Duke of Milan 1476 [obverse]

16th century

Milanese 16th Century

Associated Names
Milanese 16th Century

Artist

This is a photograph of an ancient coin. The image shows a coin with a detailed profile of a person's head in the center, surrounded by a circle of inscribed text along the circumference. The profile is intricately engraved, showcasing medium-length, wavy hair and the outline of a garment with a discernible collar. The text on the coin appears to be in a classical style, possibly Latin. The detailed craftsmanship suggests the coin is from a historical period when coins often featured prominent leaders or significant figures of the time. The lighting emphasizes the embossed features of the coin, highlighting the relief work against a darker background.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silver testoon //Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
    gross weight: 9.67 gr (0.021 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1248.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a portrait on a coin featuring the profile of a man facing to the right. The man has long, wavy hair that reaches his shoulders and is depicted wearing ornate armor or a decorated robe, as indicated by the detailed patterns on the clothing visible around his neck and shoulders. The portrait is encircled by an inscription, including the name "LUDOVICUS," among other words, and divided by an emblem or crest at the top of the coin. The sculpture is crafted from metal, likely silver, given its reflective surface and color, a dark, shiny gray. The texture and patina of the coin suggest it is old and possibly of historical significance. The detailed and realistic depiction emphasizes the man’s facial features and attire.

Lodovico Maria Sforza, called il Moro, 1451-1508, Regent 1480-1494 [reverse]

Milanese 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

Exhibition History

1988

  • The Sforza Court: Milan in the Renaissance, 1450-1535, Archer M. Huntington Art Gallery, The University of Texas, Austin; University Art Museum, University of California at Berkeley; Yale University, New Haven, 1988-1989, no. 98.

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. 652.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 44, no. 9.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 793, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: IO GZ M SF VICECO DVX MLI SX

Markings

Mint-mark, head of St. Ambrose

Wikidata ID

Q63854356

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