Pelican in Her Piety [reverse]

1458/1464

Andrea Guacialoti

Associated Names
Andrea Guacialoti

Artist, Florentine, 1435 - 1495

The sculpture features an eagle with its wings raised in a protective stance. It is crafted from bronze and displayed on a circular medal. The eagle is in high relief, showing detailed feathers and form. There is an inscription in capital letters encircling the perimeter of the medal.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.4 cm (2 1/8 in.)
    gross weight: 46.18 gr (0.102 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1285.b

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of a carved medallion. The medallion features a relief portrait in profile of a distinguished figure, facing left, detailed with intricate textural carvings to depict clothing and facial features. Around the edge of the medallion is an embossed inscription. The color of the medallion is a warm bronze. The craftsmanship is detailed and precise, suggesting a significant cultural or historical value.

Pius II (Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, 1405-1464), Pope 1458 [obverse]

Andrea Guacialoti

1458


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. 235, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: DESANGVINE NATOS ALESVTHEC CORDIS PAVI

Wikidata ID

Q63854316

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