Sir Thomas More, 1480-1535, Lord Chancellor of England 1529 [obverse]

17th century

English 17th Century

Associated Names
The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring the profile of a man engraved on it. The subject appears to be wearing a cap and elaborate clothing with detailed texture. There are inscriptions encircling the figure along the medallion's edge. The sculpture is made of a metallic material with a dark brown, aged patina, exhibiting slight oxidization and wear. The medallion has a slightly uneven surface. The figure is in profile, facing to the right, and detailed features such as the nose, eye, and mouth are clearly defined in the relief of the metal.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.91 cm (2 5/16 in.)
    gross weight: 88.43 gr (0.195 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1283.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture depicts a ship at sea, caught in a powerful wave. It is made of a metallic material, likely bronze, with brownish and copper tones, giving it a patinated appearance. The round, medallion-like form suggests it is a relief piece. The inscription "S.V.A.V.I.S OLIVT" is visible along the upper rim. The craftsmanship reflects a dynamic portrayal of the ocean and vessel, captured in the moment of nature's force.

Felled Cypress Tree [reverse]

English 17th Century

1600


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

1978

  • Hill, George Francis. Medals of the Renaissance. Revised and enlarged by Graham Pollard. London, 1978: 145.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 782, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: THOMAS MORV[s]or [e] ANGLIAE CANCEL

Wikidata ID

Q63854400

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