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The sculpture depicts a male figure with detailed hair, holding a staff topped with a floral motif. The figure is shown in profile, with intricate details on the hair and facial features. Crafted from metal, it appears to be of an alloy like bronze, offering a dark, weathered look with patina. This relief sculpture is small and oval-shaped, with a hole at the top for possible suspension or display. The artistry shows attention to the textures of the hair and draped fabric on the figure's body.
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The sculpture depicts a male figure with detailed hair, holding a staff topped with a floral motif. The figure is shown in profile, with intricate details on the hair and facial features. Crafted from metal, it appears to be of an alloy like bronze, offering a dark, weathered look with patina. This relief sculpture is small and oval-shaped, with a hole at the top for possible suspension or display. The artistry shows attention to the textures of the hair and draped fabric on the figure's body.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

A Bacchante

Master of the Martelli Mirror

Date
late 15th or early 16th century
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall (oval, without suspension loop): 10.37 x 8.29 cm (4 1/16 x 3 1/4 in.) height (with suspension loop): 10.87 cm (4 1/4 in.) gross weight: 201.4 gr (0.444 lb.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1942.9.188
Credit line
Widener Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Florentine
  • Paduan
  • classical
  • mythology
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • Bacchante
Provenance

Oscar Hainauer [d. 1894], Berlin; his wife, Julie Hainauer, Berlin; acquired 1906 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); by exchange 21 October 1920 to Joseph E. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; gift 1942 to NGA.

Marks

Reverse bears former inventory numbers P.5. (for Plaquette no. 5) in black ink (Bode/Thieme 1897/1906) and 50. in white paint (Hainauer/Duveen 1908).

NGA object ID 1348. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.