Ten-Headed Monster Preying on Two Nude Bodies [reverse]

1672

Pierre Aury

Associated Names
Pierre Aury

Medalist, Dutch, active 1672

The image shows a medallion sculpture featuring multiple figures and animals. At the center, there is a male figure's torsos surrounded by animal heads like an ox, lion, and horse. The animals and human figure are detailed. The sculpture is metallic with a bronze or copper hue. Surrounding the central figures, there is a circular border with Latin inscriptions. The medallion has a high level of relief for a three-dimensional appearance.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silver

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Lisa and Leonard Baskin

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 7.27 cm (2 7/8 in.)
    gross weight: 113.46 gr (0.25 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1998.108.1.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture depicted is a medal featuring two busts in profile, with the subjects facing each other. The individuals have long, curly hair, and they are dressed in period attire. The detailing in their clothing and hair is intricate. The medal is primarily silver in color. Around the edges of the medal, there are inscriptions in Latin, including names and dates. The medal's design and craftsmanship emphasize the facial features and attire in a realistic style, with a focus on fine detail that highlights the historical and cultural significance of the subjects in relation to the era in which it was created.

Assassination of the Brothers Cornelius and Johann de Witt at The Hague [obverse]

Pierre Aury

1672

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Purchased c. 1960/1985 by Lisa and Leonard Baskin, Leeds, Massachusetts; gift 1998 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 937, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: NUNC REDEUNT.ANIMIS.INGENTIA.CONSULIS.ACTAET FORMIDATI.SCEPTRIS.ORACLA MINISTRI (Now one remembers the great deeds of the Governor and the words of the Minister feared at Court); in exergue: NOBILE PAR FRATRVM SAEVO / FVROR ORE TRVCIDAT. / XXAVGVSTI. (The noble brothers were killed in a terrible massacre on 20 August [1672]; enlarged letters in the exergue inscription read: ILVM[.?]VV[.?]VCID[.?]XX[.?]A); on sections of ribbon: MENS / AGITAT / MOLEM / ET MAGNO / SE COR / PORE / MISCET (Spirit moves the world and assumes appearance in noble bodies)

Wikidata ID

Q63862017

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