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The sculpture is a relief on a round medallion depicting a figure riding a lion. The figure is holding a large curved horn in one hand and the lion's tail in the other. The lion is robust with a prominent mane. The sculpture is made of copper, giving it a reddish-brown color with a metallic sheen. Engraved text surrounds the outer edge of the medallion. There is a small hole near the top for hanging or attaching.
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The sculpture is a relief on a round medallion depicting a figure riding a lion. The figure is holding a large curved horn in one hand and the lion's tail in the other. The lion is robust with a prominent mane. The sculpture is made of copper, giving it a reddish-brown color with a metallic sheen. Engraved text surrounds the outer edge of the medallion. There is a small hole near the top for hanging or attaching.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Allegory of Fortune

Circle of Gianfrancesco Enzola

Date
c. 1475
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
diameter: 4.55 cm (1 13/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
2008.114.1
Credit line
Gift of Andrew Brown
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • allegory
  • mammal
  • animal
  • Lion
  • Renaissance
  • cast
  • Fortune
  • Cornucopia
  • Acquired after publication of Renaissance Plaquettes
  • Sail
  • seated, nude
  • figure
Provenance

Dr. Charles Avery, London; (sale, Morton & Eden, London, 11-12 June 2008, no. 375); Andrew M. Brown, Anchorage; gift 2008 to NGA.

Inscription

around circumference: AVDACES.FOR TVNA IVVAT (Fortune assists the brave)

NGA object ID 141013. 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.