Sigismondo Malatesta and Isotta degli Atti [obverse]

1800/1920

Italian 19th or 20th Century

Associated Names
Italian 19th Century

Medalist

Italian 20th Century

Medalist

The image features a circular medallion with a relief showing two facing figures in side profile. The left figure is female, and the right figure is male with a laurel wreath on his head. The sculpture appears to be made of bronze, giving it a brown color with age-darkened tones highlighting the engraved details. The relief depicts detailed textures such as the woman's headscarf and the laurels on the man. Above their heads is a motif resembling an angelic figure with wings. Inscriptions in a serif font surround the relief, with the year "MCCCCXLVI" (1446) beneath the figures. There is a small hole at the top of the medallion, possibly for hanging. Overall, the sculpture showcases historical and artistic detailing of its era.
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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a round medallion with a detailed coat of arms in the center. The coat of arms is quartered, displaying ornate heraldic symbols, including a pair of stylized S-shapes. Surrounding this central design is a wreath-like border with intricate detailing, including ribbon elements. The medallion is a rich, dark bronze color. A small hole at the top suggests it may have been designed to be hung or worn as a pendant. This piece showcases detailed engraving and texture.

Shield with the Malatesta Arms in a Wreath [reverse]

Italian 19th Century, Italian 20th Century

1800

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Ignaz Gábor, Budapest, by 1923. private collection, France; (Sotheby's, Zurich, 24 May 1974, no. 125); Ruth Blumka [d. 1994], New York; by inheritance to her son, Anthony Blumka; gift 1995 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1923

  • Medaillen und Plakette der Renaissance und Barocke: Sammlung des Ingen. Ignaz Gabor. Budapest, 1923: no. 48, repro. (manuscript catalogue in the Library of the Cleveland Museum of Art).

1974

  • Ricci, Corrado. Il Tempio Malatestiano. Reprint, edited with new appendices by Pier Giorgio Pasini. Rimini, 1974: appendix VII, no. 3.

1975

  • Larner, John. "Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta on Gilmorehill." Glasgow University Gazette 79 (December 1975): 10-12.

1978

  • Clough, Cecil H. The Duchy of Urbino in the Renaissance. London, 1978: chapter IX, 4-5, fig. 2 (also 1981 ed.: item IX p. 5, appendix p. 9).

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 355, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: [flower]DIVAE.SACRVM.ISOTTAE.FORMA.ET.VIRTVTE.DECOR[pierced hole]SIGISMVNDVS.MALATESTIS.ARIMINI.7E.TE.ROMANE; above portraits: ECLLESIE[sic].CAPITANEVS.GENERALIS; below busts: MCCCCXLVI

Wikidata ID

Q63860692

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