Saint Ambrose on Horseback, Wielding a Scourge [reverse]

16th century

Milanese 16th Century

Associated Names
This is a photograph of a coin with an intricately designed raised image of a robed figure riding a horse in motion. Surrounding the central image is a circular inscription. Below the horse and rider, there is a shield with decorative elements resembling fleurs-de-lis. The coin shows signs of oxidation and wear, indicating its age and historical use. The engraving on the coin is captured in detail, with light and shadow emphasizing the three-dimensional quality of the design.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silver testoon//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)
    gross weight: 9.61 gr (0.021 lb.)
    axis: 8:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1251.b

Associated Artworks

The image depicts a detailed sculpture of a profile relief on a coin. The sculpture features a king wearing an ornate crown. The subject appears to be a historical figure, as indicated by the regal attire and the inscription surrounding the portrait. The crown is embellished with fleur-de-lis designs. The coin is made of metal, likely silver based on the coloration. The sculpture is intricately carved on the coin's surface in high relief compared to the flat background. The surrounding text adds a decorative border that frames the king's profile, who has a stoic expression and is facing to the right.

Louis XII, 1462-1515, King of France 1498, as Duke of Milan 1500-1513 [obverse]

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

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 796, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: MEDIOLANI DVX

Wikidata ID

Q63854363

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