Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, 1417-1468, Lord of Rimini and Fano [obverse]

1447

Matteo de' Pasti

Associated Names
Matteo de' Pasti

Medalist, Italian, c. 1420 - 1467/1468

The sculpture is a medallion or coin featuring a side profile of a human head with closely cropped hair, a visible ear, nose, mouth, and chin in relief. The material appears to be metal, possibly bronze, characterized by dark brown color with lighter worn areas highlighting the raised features. Around the edge of the medallion, there is an inscription in capital letters partially visible. The design is reminiscent of classical or Renaissance portrait medallions used for commemorating notable individuals.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Lisa and Leonard Baskin

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.11 cm (1 1/4 in.)
    gross weight: 15.75 gr (0.035 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1992.55.3.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular bronze medallion depicting a right arm and hand holding a bundle of vertical lines or rods. The outer border of the medallion is inscribed with Latin text in a slightly raised font. The sculpture has a textured surface with variations in color, primarily dark brown with hints of verdigris. The aged appearance of the bronze medallion suggests it is an artifact of considerable age, with embossed designs and text providing historical context.

Emblem of Authority [reverse]

Matteo de' Pasti

1447

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lisa and Leonard Baskin, Leeds, Massachusetts; gift 1992 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1883

  • Armand, Alfred. Les médailleurs italiens des quinzième et seizième siècles. 2nd ed. 3 vols. Paris, 1883-1887: 1: 21, no. 18.

1930

  • Hill, George Francis. A Corpus of Italian Medals of the Renaissance before Cellini. 2 vols. London, 1930: no. 182.

1984

  • Pollard, John Graham. Italian Renaissance Medals in the Museo Nazionale of Bargello. 3 vols. Florence, 1984: no. 46.

1997

  • Glinsman, Lisha Deming. "Renaissance Portrait Medals by Matteo de'Pasti." Studies in the History of Art 57 (1997): 99, fig. 13.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 25, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: SIGISMVNDVS PANDVLFVS.MALATESTA.

Wikidata ID

Q63860974

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