Putti Supporting a Shield [reverse]

c. 1474

Italian 15th Century

Associated Names
The sculpture is a relief on a circular medal featuring small, muscular figures carrying a platform above their heads. Perched on the platform is an eagle with its wings spread wide and holding a ball. The sculpture is made of a dark metallic material, likely bronze, giving it a rich brown color. Inscriptions on both sides of the eagle read "FE" on the left and "DVX" on the right. The design is tightly spaced within the circular boundary, creating a compact and intricate embossed image.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 11.28 cm (4 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 411.14 gr (0.906 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1323.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture features a bas-relief portrait of a man's profile facing left. The man has short, curly hair and is wearing what appears to be a garment with shoulder armor or an armored collar. The sculpture is a round medallion or coin with a narrow rim. Text is inscribed around the edge. The material is dark bronze with subtle variations, giving it a slightly weathered appearance. The surface is smooth, with finely etched details distinguishing the features of the man’s face and clothing. The sculpture has an official or regal appearance through its craftsmanship and the subject’s attire.

Federigo da Montefeltro, Count of Urbino [obverse]

Italian 15th Century

1474


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. 342, repro.

Inscriptions

across center: FE DVX

Wikidata ID

Q63854785

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