Reclining Bovine [reverse]

c. 1565

Martino da Bergamo

Associated Names
Martino da Bergamo

Artist, Italian, active c. 1565?

The sculpture is a circular bas-relief medallion featuring a reclining ox on an earthen landscape with vegetation details around its legs. Above the ox, there is an inscription, "FESSVS LAMPADA TRADO." The medallion is primarily dark bronze and tarnished hues with spots of reddish-brown patina, suggesting it is made of metal with an antiqued finish. The surface texture is slightly rough and worn, giving it a sense of age and craftsmanship. The overall appearance is reminiscent of classical medal art.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 8.34 cm (3 5/16 in.)
    gross weight: 167.24 gr (0.369 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1274.b

Associated Artworks

The image depicts a round medal featuring a man's profile with a bearded face and short hair. The man wears a cloak or robe. The medal is dark metallic, possibly bronze, with an aged appearance. Surrounding the profile is an inscription that includes the name "BENAVIDIVS" and additional text. The background has a slightly rough texture.

Marco Mantova Benavides, 1489-1582, Lawyer and Collector [obverse]

Martino da Bergamo

1565


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. 513, repro.

Inscriptions

across top: FESSVS LAMPADA TRADO

Wikidata ID

Q63854727

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